It is essential for everybody to eat.! We normally start and end our days with meals. It is believed that meal times bring together families, friends, and other groups for celebrations or even goodbyes. Regardless of dietary preferences, everyone must eat on a daily basis. Therefore, eating helps us stay alive, grow, and connect with others socially and emotionally.
What is typical?
Learners and teenagers have different eating habits due to their personalities, bodies, growth stages, and surroundings. Moreover, some people eat three meals a day, while others eat two or five. However, learners love snacks, and they often eat them between meals. This is okay because learners and teenagers grow quickly and use energy faster than adults, so snacks are important for them.
Some learners and teenagers are picky eaters.. This is common if they eat enough variety to stay healthy.
The most important things to remember about typical eating in students and teens are:
- Eating enough food to get energy for the day.
- Eating a balanced diet with different food groups.
Sometimes, learners and teenagers consume a lot of food in a short span of time, and that results in stomach aches. Additionally, they might refuse to eat when they are sick. Both situations are considered normal.
When should I be concerned?
Due to food insecurity in some school’s educators might find it hard to notice disparities in learners’ eating habits.
However, mostly in the foundation phase, learners are usually supervised, and that makes it easier for educators to notice learners’ eating habits. Contrary to that, educators find it hard to supervise senior learners’ eating habits during break time as they scatter around.
Therefore, when learners regularly eat too much or too little, it becomes a concern.
Signs of eating problems in young learners:
- Irregular dieting and unbalanced eating habits
- Eating non-food items
- Regular overeating followed by discomfort
- Not eating during break time
- Avoiding certain foods because of how they look, smell, or taste
Signs of eating problems in teenage learners :
- Eating very little or dieting leads to noticeable weight loss
- Going to the bathroom or bedroom right after meals
- Regular overeating followed by discomfort
- Long periods without eating anything
- Vomiting without a medical reason
- Hiding empty wrappers or food
- Constipation without a medical reason
- Irregular periods without a medical reason
- Using medication like laxatives without a prescription
- Exercising too much, especially after overeating
What can I do to help?
If you notice a student exhibiting concerning eating patterns or distress related to food, it is important to act upon it. Here’s what you can do:
- Talk and listen: Express your concern and create a safe space for the learner to share their thoughts and feelings about food.
- Be supportive: Let the learner know you care and are there to help. Offer encouragement and understanding.
- Inform caregivers: Share your observations with the learner’s caregivers so they can monitor the situation at home.
- Consult with health professionals: Contact the school nurse or counsellor to discuss your concerns and seek guidance. They can help determine if a referral to a specialist is needed.
- Promote healthy eating habits in the classroom: Model positive attitudes towards food and encourage balanced choices.
- Avoid making negative comments about food or bodies: Create a body-positive environment where all students feel accepted.
- Focus on overall well-being: Encourage healthy habits like exercise and stress management, which can positively influence eating habits.
Where to find more information
For detailed information on mental health conditions, visit our guides for health professionals.