Promoting a positive body image is a topic that comes up often with our clients. This is especially true for the parents of young kids and teens. What is body image? Quite simply, it’s how we feel about our own bodies. Children and teens in particular can develop a positive or negative image of their bodies, regardless of their weight. It is very important for parents and other role models to take an active role in promoting a positive body image. Why? Body image ultimately impacts kids’ self esteem, mental health, and even physical health.
Young people with positive self-image are more confident and comfortable in their own skin. They are also less likely to develop issues with food, and less likely to count calories, worry about food, and fixate on their weight. Meanwhile, kids with a negative body image can feel more self-conscious and have lower self esteem. They are also at greater risk for disordered eating or full-blown eating disorders.
How to promote a positive body image
There are some simple yet powerful ways that you can promote a positive body image:
1. Check in with your own image of your body.
How parents feel about their bodies has a powerful influence. Sometimes we fall into the habit of criticizing our bodies, and we may not even be aware that we are doing it! Avoid commenting negatively about your own body, even when you don’t think your kids are within earshot. (Let’s face it, they are always listening!) Instead, reframe any “body talk” to what your body can DO rather than what it looks like. Also do not discuss topics such as dieting or express a desire to lose weight in front of the kids. Promoting a positive body image in your household starts with YOU!
2. Focus on healthful behaviors, not your weight.
Shift your focus! Stop obsessing about weight. Furthermore, feel free to be a scale free household. When you exercise, do so to improve cardiovascular health, build healthy muscles, and improve mental health. Focus on these benefits rather than centering exercise around weight loss. Promoting a healthy body image is possible when we ditch the “work out to burn calories” mentality and instead focus on the true value of exercise. Also keep in mind that children don’t need to “work out” at all! Rather, they need to be active and play. That can mean a game of fetch with the family pet; playing tag with friends; hitting the park; taking a walk; or playing a favorite sport. If you feel stuck in the vicious cycle of diet culture, counting calories, and obsessing about the number on the scale, click here to read a blog post we wrote on this topic.
3. Be aware of how other people comment or bully children and their bodies.
Have an open dialogue with your child about how it is not okay to comment on other people’s bodies. This is true for all body types. While most of us might agree that we should not be labeling someone as “fat,” we need to be equally aware that other body types can also be the subject of criticism. It’s helpful to check in with our own behavior, to be sure we are practicing what we preach. Comments like, “You are too skinny. You need to eat more!” may be intended as good natured ribbing. However, it does not promote a healthy body image, and can be detrimental to a child or teen. Make sure you are a safe space for your child to discuss any bullying or negative comments they are getting about their bodies from other kids and adults.
4. Talk about body image and the media.
There are a lot of conversations about what the perfect body is. The media has done some harm in the area of diet culture, promoting weight loss, photoshopping, celebrating certain types of bodies, etc. We are also now more aware of the negative consequences that social media platforms like Instagram have on children and teens (and even adults!) In fact studies indicate that reducing social media usage significantly improves body image in teens. Have open and honest conversations with your kids about how people are portrayed in the media, and the difference between real life and the artificial world that is depicted online. Promoting a healthy body image starts with being aware that we are beautiful, just as we are. No filter needed.
