Food Addiction in Adolescents: Signs and Support

Adolescence is a time of rapid change - physically, emotionally, and socially. For many young people, it’s also a time when their relationship with food begins to shift. While it’s normal for teenagers to experiment, rebel, and even struggle a bit with food, there’s a difference between typical teenage eating habits and something deeper, like food addiction.

At Food Addiction UK, we often hear from parents, carers, and professionals who suspect something’s not quite right. Their teen is secretive about food, seems emotionally distressed, or is caught in a cycle of bingeing and shame. And they’re left wondering: Is this food addiction? And if so, how do I help?

Let’s talk about what food addiction can look like in adolescents, the signs to watch for, and most importantly, how to support them with empathy and understanding.

Understanding Food Addiction in Teens

Food addiction isn’t about lack of willpower or “just being greedy.” It’s a complex, compulsive relationship with foods, often highly processed ones loaded with sugar, salt, and fat, the one’s that light up the brain’s reward system in much the same way drugs or alcohol can.

For adolescence, this can be especially intense. Their brains are still developing, particularly the parts responsible for impulse control and emotional regulation. Add in hormonal changes, academic pressure, social media comparisons, and emotional turbulence, and it’s no wonder that some teens turn to food as a way to cope.

Signs of Food Addiction in Adolescents

Food addiction doesn’t look the same in everyone, but here are some common signs to watch for:

Secret Eating:

  • Hiding food in their room

  • Sneaking food late at night

  • Eating large quantities when alone, then acting ashamed or defensive

Loss of Control Around Food

  • Saying “I’ll only have one,” then eating far more than planned

  • Feeling unable to stop, even when full or uncomfortable

Emotional Eating

  • Turning to food in response to stress, sadness, boredom, or anger

  • Using food to self-soothe after a hard say at school or a social conflict

Mood Swings and Withdrawal

  • Irritability or low mood, especially when certain foods are unavailable

  • Avoiding social events that don’t involve food, or becoming anxious around food-centric gatherings

Body Image Distress

  • Obsessing over appearance or weight

  • Using food as a way to punish or comfort themselves, depending on how they feel about their body

Physical Symptoms

  • Rapid weight fluctuations (though food addiction can happen at any size)

  • Digestive issues, fatigue, or changes in sleep linked to eating habits

Why It’s So Hard for Teens to Talk About

Many teenagers don’t have the language to describe what’s going on. They might feel:

  • Embarrassed about their behaviour

  • Scared they’ll be judged or punished

  • Confused because food is everywhere, and overeating is often normalised

In a culture where food is used to celebrate, cope, bond, and escape, it can be a tough time for anyone, especially a teen, to understand that their relationship with food might be harming them.

Cartoon image of a young person with their hands over their face with a gap in their fingers and looking out with one eye.

How to Support a Teen with Food Addiction

1. Open the Door to Honest Conversation

Instead of starting with concern about weight or eating patterns, try asking:

  • How have you been feeling lately?

  • Have you noticed food becoming a bit of a coping mechanism?

  • Do you ever feel out of control with food?

Create a safe, non-judgemental space. Let them know they’re not in trouble and they’re not alone.

Cartoon image of two people sat on a sofa, it looks like a parent and child. The parent is talking to the child who is smiling.

2. Avoid Food Policing

It can be tempting to hide snacks, lock cupboards, or comment on portion sizes. But this often increased secrecy and shame. Instead of controlling food, focus on supporting emotional regulation and helping them find other coping tools.

3. Model a Balanced Relationship with Food

Teens pick up on the language and attitudes of the adults around them. If you’re constantly dieting, speaking negatively about your body, or moralising food (“good” vs “bad”), they’re listening - even if they don’t say anything.

Try to model:

  • Eating with awareness and kindness

  • Speaking about your body with respect

  • Focus on how food makes you feel rather than what it does to your appearance

'Positive vibes only' written in two different shades of green and orange. There are yellow stars around it.

4. Introduce Other Coping Strategies

Help them build a toolkit for managing emotions:

  • Movement they actually enjoy (not just exercise for weight loss)

  • Journaling, art, or music

  • Talking to someone they trust

  • Mindfulness or breathwork practices

You can even explore these tools together, it doesn’t have to be a lecture, let it be a shared journey.

5. Get Professional Support

Food addiction is complex, and it’s okay to ask for help. Consider connecting with:

  • A therapist specialising in disordered eating or addiction

  • Support groups (online or in-person) for young people

  • Their GP so they can refer to the relevant services in your area

Cartoon image of 4 people sat in chairs in a circle. This is to demonstrate a therapy session. One has their hand up as if they're speaking and one has a notepad on their lap.

A Note to Teenagers Reading This

If you’re a young person struggling with food addiction, please know:

  • You are not broken.

  • You are not “bad” for using food to cope.

  • You don’t have to deal with this by yourself.

There’s a way forward - one that’s rooted in kindness, self-discovery, and support. You deserve help that respects your voice and your story. If you’re struggling to communicate with an adult in your life, show them this blog post as a conversation starter.

Final Thoughts

Food addiction in adolescents can feel scary, for both the teen and their family, but there is hope. With the right support, young people can learn to understand their cravings, build emotional resilience, and develop a more peaceful, nourishing relationship with food.

Although Food Addiction UK is an 18+ membership, we are here to support families through this journey. Whether you’re looking for guidance, resources, or simply someone who understands, we are here for you.

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You don’t have to do this alone.