While rates of being overweight and obese are increasing, thin or even ‘ultra-thin’ bodies are often idealised in contemporary modern cultures, particularly for women. Trying to achieve this ideal can lead to unhealthy eating behaviours. Eating problems range from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, which can be life threatening, to problematic eating behaviours such as restrictive dieting. Many eating problems develop in adolescence, especially between the ages of 15 and 19. Therefore, intervening early, by promoting healthy eating and nutrition, is crucial for long-term health outcomes.

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a ‘snapshot’ of how young people are faring in relation to eating problems at 14–15 years of age, the types of actions they take to control their weight and the association between those actions, particularly restrictive dieting, and physical and mental health outcomes.