Summer Can Reveal What the School Year Hides: Why It’s a Critical Time to Catch and Treat Eating Disorders

Summer is often framed as a carefree break for children and teens—a time to relax, recharge, and enjoy a pause from academic pressure. But for many adolescents struggling with eating disorders, the season can quietly intensify the very challenges families may not yet recognize.

Without the structure of the school day, warning signs that might otherwise be noticed by teachers, coaches, or school counselors can go unseen. At the same time, summer introduces a new set of pressures: more time in swimsuits, disrupted routines, social comparisons, and an increased focus on food during travel, camps, and gatherings. For vulnerable teens, these shifts can accelerate disordered eating behaviors.

Research shows that approximately 22 percent of children and adolescents exhibit disordered eating patterns. Yet many cases go undiagnosed—especially during the school year, when busy schedules and academic demands can mask early symptoms. For those with kids returning from college, disordered eating may come into sharper focus as more time is spent together.

Signs parents shouldn’t ignore

Summer provides a unique opportunity for parents to observe patterns more closely. Warning signs can include:

• Skipping meals or eating very little
• Avoiding social situations involving food
• Sudden changes in weight or growth patterns
• Increased anxiety around eating or body image
• Compulsive exercise or rigid routines

While any one of these signs may not indicate an eating disorder on its own, patterns or combinations should prompt further attention.

A critical window for intervention

The same factors that can make summer challenging also make it an ideal time to begin treatment. With fewer academic demands, adolescents can engage more fully in care without the added stress of managing schoolwork.

Early intervention is one of the most important predictors of recovery. When individuals can begin treatment before behaviors become deeply entrenched, outcomes are significantly better.

Starting care during the summer allows adolescents to build coping skills, restore nutritional health, and establish routines that can support them when they return to school in the fall—and a summer focused on recovery can change their lives.

The role of families in recovery

Family involvement is a cornerstone of effective adolescent eating disorder treatment. Summer often provides the time and flexibility for families to participate more actively in the recovery process—whether through family-based therapy, shared meals, or learning how to support their child’s healing at home.

Experts in eating disorder treatment, like The Emily Program, emphasize compassionate, developmentally appropriate care that includes families as partners. Reducing barriers to access—such as flexible scheduling or virtual options—can make it easier for adolescents to begin treatment when it matters most.

Looking ahead to the school year

As the new school year approaches, adolescents who begin treatment in the summer are often better equipped to navigate academic and social pressures. Rather than returning to school at a point of crisis, they re-enter with support systems and strategies already in place.

The summer offers an opportunity. Noticing changes, asking questions, and seeking support early can make a meaningful difference in a child’s long-term health and well-being.

If something feels off, it’s worth paying attention. The quieter pace of summer may be exactly what allows families to see what was previously hidden—and to take the first step toward recovery.

LOCAL RESOURCES

Families in Washington who are concerned about a child’s eating habits or relationship with food can access support locally. The Emily Program offers both in-person and virtual care options for adolescents and families

To learn more or schedule an initial conversation, contact:

The Emily Program, Washington
Inquiries: Call: 888-364-5977

www.emilyprogram.com