Teens and Body Image: Is your teen eating well?

When we talk about adolescent health in Kenya, conversations often circle around academics, relationships, or the impact of social media. Yet quietly, beneath the surface, another concern is growing. Body image dissatisfaction and eating-related struggles are increasingly present among Kenyan teenagers, shaping not only how they see themselves but also how they participate in school, friendships, and family life.

Recent Kenyan research has found that eating disorders, while under-reported, are not rare. Binge eating disorder affects a small but significant percentage of adolescents, with symptoms such as eating large amounts in secret or feeling distress after meals showing up in more young people than many parents might assume. University studies in Nairobi have also highlighted how negative body image can chip away at self-esteem and influence mental health long after the teenage years.

For girls, the pressure often leans toward being thinner, while boys are more likely to focus on gaining size or muscle. In both cases, the dissatisfaction begins early, sometimes as puberty reshapes the body. By late adolescence, many young people are already caught in cycles of dieting, over-exercising, or comparison, habits that can be difficult to unlearn.

One reason is the pull of social media. Kenyan teenagers scroll through the same feeds as their global peers, where edited images and “fitness inspiration” accounts set unrealistic standards. The more time spent comparing themselves to influencers or even classmates online, the more likely teens are to report dissatisfaction with their own bodies.

Cultural shifts are also at play. Traditionally, in many Kenyan communities, a healthy appetite or a fuller body was not seen negatively. Today, globalised ideals of beauty are filtering in, creating a clash between cultural pride and imported standards. For some teenagers, this tension can spark shame or confusion.

Beyond appearance

It is important to remember that eating concerns are not just about food. They often overlap with wider mental health struggles. In Kenya, mental disorders are one of the leading causes of disability among young people, and body image plays a quiet but significant role. Disordered eating behaviours can also connect with substance use, depression, or anxiety, making early recognition essential.

What parents and schools should notice

Some signs are obvious, others more subtle. A teenager might suddenly avoid family meals, start cutting out entire food groups, or insist on strict exercise routines despite being unwell. Others might obsess over weighing themselves or checking mirrors. Even boys, often overlooked in this discussion, may push themselves into risky supplement use to achieve a “bigger” look.

Teachers and parents are often the first to notice these changes, but without awareness, the signs can be dismissed as “normal teenage behaviour.” Left unchecked, these habits can harden into disorders that are far more difficult to treat in adulthood.

What helps

Schools are a natural starting point. Kenya’s School Health Policy already gives a framework for promoting wellbeing in classrooms. By weaving in media literacy, screening tools, and clear referral pathways, schools could become safe spaces where body image issues are recognised early.

Parents, too, have a powerful role. That begins with language. Instead of praising a child’s appearance or commenting on weight, focus on strength, talents, and effort. Avoid making food a reward or punishment, and model balanced eating yourself. At home, encourage conversations about what teenagers see online, helping them question filters and trends without shame.

And when concerns are visible, professional support matters. Counselling can be framed positively—not as a crisis measure but as a way of giving young people tools to cope and thrive.

The bigger picture

Body image is not always easy to talk about, especially in a culture where children’s health has long been tied to weight. But recognising the quiet rise of eating concerns in Kenyan adolescents is a step towards protecting not only their physical wellbeing but also their confidence and mental health.

This is not about restricting joy or policing teenagers’ habits. It is about noticing, listening, and creating safe spaces where young people can grow into adulthood without the burden of shame about their bodies.

Because when we give adolescents the freedom to feel comfortable in their own skin, we hand them something more powerful than beauty. We hand them resilience.