Building Positive Body Image: A Guide for Parents and Kids
This post on Body Image is written by Kathryn McPhillips, M.S.
Body image is characterized as the way one thinks and feels about their body. Many young children begin to form ideas of their bodies from a very young age. Body image impacts an individual’s self-esteem. If a child or teen has a negative self-perception, they are unhappy with the way that they look and may even criticize themselves. A negative body image can adversely affect an individual’s self-esteem.
When self-esteem is negatively affected, children and teens can view the world in a more negative way, which can lead to both social and health consequences. A low self-esteem may lead children to withdrawing from their social world, which affects their ability to make new friends. These children may also develop mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
On the other hand, a positive body image is when an individual appreciates and accepts their body. When children feel good about their bodies, they are more likely to engage in pleasurable and healthy lifestyle activities. They also have better self-esteem, which allows them to develop social interactions and better engage with the world around them. Therefore, fostering a positive body confidence in children is crucial in developing their worldview and promoting positive mental well-being. Parents are able to model positive body image practices to promote positive body perception in their children.
Outlined below are some warning signs of a negative body image and some tips on how to promote a healthy body image in children and teens.
Signs of Negative Body Image
- Comparing their bodies to others
- Avoiding certain activities
- Focusing solely on physical appearance
- Dieting
- Negative self-talk
- Avoiding certain clothing
- Overexercising
Tips to Promote a Healthy Body Image
- Focus on your own body image. If a parent has an idea about how they think and feel about their body, they are aware of how it comes off to their children. When parents are aware of their own body confidence, they are able to be positive role models for their children. Therefore, parents should avoid using negative body talk in front of their children.
- Focus on inner qualities. When describing an individual, focus on the inner qualities of individuals rather than their physical traits. When you compliment others, use language surrounding their inner qualities and traits, instead of their physical appearance.
- Avoid talking about diets. Parents should avoid mentioning diets in front of their children. Similarly, parents should also avoid telling their child that they need to go on a diet. Instead, parents can talk about eating healthy and model healthy eating behaviors.
- Focus on health. When parents are talking about eating well with their children, they should ensure that they are eating nutritious foods because they make them feel nourished, not based on changing body size. Also, when describing exercise, focus on wanting to become stronger through physical activity, rather than trying to lose weight.
- Take pictures with family. A negative self-perception may lead some individuals to avoid taking pictures of themselves. They do not want their photo taken due to having negative feelings about their body. Instead, parents should take photographs with the children to document all of their memories in the present moment.
IN SUMMARY…
One’s view of their own body can impact how they view the world. The way one views their body, is known as body image and it begins to form at a very young age. Therefore, parents can model positive behaviors to influence their children’s body image. Parents can use positive language when talking about their own feelings and thoughts surrounding their bodies to model positive body image practices. They can also focus on an individual’s inner qualities when describing them, instead of their physical appearance. Furthermore, parents can avoid mentioning diets and instead mention that they eat nutritious foods because they are nourishing, and they exercise to become stronger. Lastly, parents should take pictures with their children to capture memories as their children will focus on the moments shared together, rather than their parents’ appearance.
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