A dietitian in Ealing is taking cooking sessions into young people’s homes to support recovery from eating disorders, as Eating Disorder Awareness Week is marked across the UK from 23 February to 1 March 2026.
West London NHS Trust said the work, led by Ealing CAMHS dietitian Isis Stelmo, reflects this year’s awareness week theme of “Community”. Ms Stelmo, who joined the trust in 2024, has developed personalised sessions that use cooking as a therapeutic tool, aiming to reduce fear around food and build confidence in everyday settings.
The programme involves children and adolescents planning meals, shopping for ingredients and preparing dishes at home, with the young person setting the pace. Referrals come from GPs, schools, healthcare professionals and families, and Ms Stellmo works with children as young as nine as well as teenagers with more complex needs.
National figures suggest eating difficulties among young people are rising. Research indicates prevalence among 11 to 16-year-olds increased from 6.7% in 2017 to 12.3% in 2023, while rates among 17 to 19-year-olds rose from 44.6% to 59.4% over the same period.
Ms Stelmo said: “When people hear the word ‘dietitian’, they imagine restriction or rules. But my work is about relationships – with food, with the body, and with the world around us.”
For advice and support, visit: www.westlondon.nhs.uk
