Quick tips for helping your child develop a positive body image:
- Help your child understand that weight gain and body changes are a natural part of development.
- Avoid negative statements about your own body size and shape.
- Avoid negative statements about your child’s body size and shape.
- Help your child make healthy decisions about food.
- Encourage your child in his or her efforts, interests, and talents.
- Make and post a Ten Things I Love About Myself list with your child. Keep the list in the bathroom or on the bedroom mirror.
- Make and post a Ten Things I Love About You list for your child.
- Be available to talk without being critical.
Developing and maintaining a positive body image is a lifelong process. The tips above will help you get started… but positive body image is something you learn by doing.
Ready to read more? Check out these great resources for helping you and your family learn to love themselves.
- BodyWorks: A Toolkit for Healthy Girls and Strong Women — This publication will help you learn to be a good role model, prevent obesity, and live a healthy life.
- Caring For Your Child — this article from MentalHealth.org will help you provide for your child’s physical safety and emotional well-being.
- GirlsHealth.gov — A site for adolescent girls between ten and sixteen learn more about health issues and social situations. There is a special section for parents and caregivers.
- Helping Your Overweight Child — tips to help your child become healthier and more active from the National Institutes of Health.
The following resources can help you if you suspect your child has an eating disorder.
- Eating Disorders at KidsHealth.org
- Eating Disorders at NotMyKid.org
- Preventing Eating Disorders at NationalEatingDisorders.org
- Information about eating disorders at Families.com