Signs Your Child Has a Negative Body Image
Knowing the warning signs of an unhealthy body image in children can help parents identify problems early. What to watch for:
- Signals that a girl views herself only in terms of her physical appearance.
- The language your daughter uses to describe herself and her physical development and attractiveness.
- Excessive dieting
- Frequent comments about the weight of other girls
- Worries about sexual attractiveness
- Depression and low self-esteem
Parents can help boost a poor body image by:
- Helping children understand that their bodies will change and grow
- Helping children understand that there is not one “ideal” body shape
- Watching what they say about their own bodies and the comments they make about other people’s bodies
- Avoiding stereotypes, prejudices, and words like ugly and fat
- Helping children focus on their abilities and personalities rather than their physical appearance
- Promoting physical activity and exercise. Girls who play sports tend to have higher levels of self-esteem and healthier body images. “Be fit, not necessarily thin, and you will be healthy for life,” is an excellent motto.
- Discouraging children from weighing themselves too often
via WebMD
I remember being in grade 4 and thinking I was fat.. and wishing I was like other girls in my grade & since then Weight has always been a constant issue on my mind.. I was 8 then.. I am now 22. That’s 14 years of hating my body. Started dieting at the nice young age of 11.
“Discourage children from weighing themselves too often” Are you fucking kidding me?!? No child should *ever* step on a...
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