The dangers of dieting in adolescence

Dieting is a common occurrence during adolescence. Dieting behaviours and cognitions can have a profound impact during this critical period of development, when youth have a heightened sensitivity to appearance and are actively forming their body image. Adolescents are particularly susceptible to internalizing the myriad and conflicting "health" messages disseminated through mainstream and social media, peer interactions, family dynamics, school systems and health care encounters. These messages can influence their perception of what constitutes a "normal" or "healthy" body, motivating dieting behaviours that are undertaken in an attempt to change their body weight or shape (or both).