{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EWe all have a relationship with food and eating, and sometimes it\u2019s easier to be healthier than others. This can also affect the way our bodies look and feel, and the way we feel about ourselves.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf someone isn\u2019t eating a regular balanced diet over a long period of time, it can start to become a problem, which may be medically diagnosed as an eating disorder. Eating disorders are mental health problems because they are normally the result of difficult thoughts and feelings, which lead to harmful behaviours.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EWhy do some people experience eating problems?\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMost eating problems are a response to difficult feelings and experiences, rather than a concentrated desire to change body shape. Focusing on food can be a way of dealing with these feelings and problems.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAnyone can develop eating problems, whatever their age, gender, weight or background.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EHow should I respond to a young person who may have eating problems?\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIf you become aware that a child or young person may have eating problems, the most important thing you can do is stay calm and non-judgemental. This can help the young person feel able to speak more openly.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EInform their parent or carer, unless it\u0027s believed that this contact would put the young person at further risk of harm.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAlways follow the \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safe-scouting-cards/safeguarding-code-of-conduct-for-adults-yellow-card/\u0022 title=\u0022Young People First - Yellow Card\u0022\u003EYellow Card\u003C/a\u003E Code of Conduct for Adults and \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/reporting-a-concern-to-safeguarding/\u0022 title=\u0022Reporting a concern to safeguarding\u0022\u003Ereport your concerns\u003C/a\u003E to the UK HQ Safeguarding Team.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAdult volunteers are not expected to diagnose young people with an eating problem or any mental health condition. However, it\u0027s important to be observant while on camps and nights away to ensure young people\u2019s safety and wellbeing.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe best form of support is through the child or young person\u2019s GP. Where it\u2019s appropriate, you can make the young person and parent or carer aware of useful organisations, such as those on this page.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAdult volunteers in Scouts must not become the main support for a young person who has eating problems. Specialist support needs to be identified and the UK HQ Safeguarding Team will liaise with parents or carers to identify and signpost to appropriate support.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EJust being involved in a supportive environment within Scouts and the positive relationships made there, can make a big difference. Support and understanding can have a very positive effect.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EWhat else do I need to consider?\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou may need to make adaptations to activities in Scouts for young people who have eating problems. Consider this when risk assessing activities, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the child or young person. Discuss their needs with them and with their parent or carer, if appropriate, to make sure meal time arrangements are suitable. This might include adjustments, such as allowing the young person more time to eat or privacy to eat their meals.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"Planning individual support","body":"","link":{"name":"Individual support plans","id":null,"url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/equity-diversity-and-inclusion/supporting-people-with-additional-needs/planning-individual-support/","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":"#590fa9","title":"Find out more about planning individual support ","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]},{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EGet support or find out more about eating problems\u003C/h4\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"Read Childline\u0027s guidance","body":"\u003Cp\u003EChildline offers information and advice about eating problems for children and young people.\u0026nbsp;You can talk to them by calling 0800 1111.\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"Eating problems (Childline)","id":null,"url":"https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/eating-problems/","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":"#ffe627","title":"Childline","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"Read Young Minds\u0027 guidance","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYoung Minds is a\u202Fleading UK charity fighting for children and young people\u0027s mental health.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EShout Textline\u202Foffers free, 24/7 text messaging support, wherever you are in the UK. Text SHOUT to 85258 to start chatting to a trained volunteer.\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"Eating problems (Young Minds)","id":null,"url":"https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/my-feelings/eating-problems/","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Young Minds","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"Read Beat\u0027s guidance","body":"\u003Cp\u003EBeat Eating Disorders provide information and support for anyone affected by eating disorders or difficulties with food, weight and shape.\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"Beat Eating Disorders homepage","id":null,"url":"https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":"#ffe627","title":"Beat Eating Disorders","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"Read Mind\u0027s guidance","body":"\u003Cp\u003EMind provide advice and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem\u202Fin England and Wales.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou can talk to them by calling\u202F0300 123 3393.\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"About eating problems (Mind)","id":null,"url":"https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/eating-problems/about-eating-problems/","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Mind","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":"Find out more about how to support a young person with eating disorders or eating problems.","pageType":null,"location":null,"browserTitle":"","versionDate":"15 July 2023","reviewDate":"16/06/2020","redirectUrl":"","id":47520,"nodeName":"Eating problems","title":"Eating problems","type":"contentPage","image":null,"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Dealing with eating problems","headerSubTitle":"Find out more about how to support a young person with eating problems or eating disorders","headerCta":"","headerCtaText":"","headerCtaLink":"","headerBackgroundColour":"ffe627","showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Yellow Card","url":"/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safe-scouting-cards/safeguarding-code-of-conduct-for-adults-yellow-card/","newWindow":false},{"caption":"","title":"Reporting a safeguarding concern","url":"/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/reporting-a-concern-to-safeguarding/","newWindow":false}]},"subHeader":"Find out more about how to support a young person with eating disorders or eating problems.","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80NzUyMCJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/supporting-young-people/mental-health/eating-problems/"}