How to encourage your kids to have a healthy body image
Having a thin body does not mean you are healthy.
Back in the ancient Greek and Roman times when statues were made, curvy and chubby women were depicted to be ideal body image. A few extra pounds on women who look healthy are perceived as beautiful. Fast forward in our modern society, we can’t help but ask how did we end up looking up to an ultra thin body as a norm in our society?
The image of wafer thin models is dominantly seen in the media such as television and magazines. It has been the norm for too long. Actresses and models all strive to achieve the standard and perfect body. Given such preoccupation on body image, it is not surprising for eating disorders to be on the rise. Teenagers are known to be susceptible to eating disorder. By now, they are not the only ones affected by anorexia. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, almost 7 million women and 1 million men are affected with eating disorders in some ways. Anorexia nervosa can turn fatal if not detected and treated. There are anorexics that have to be hospitalized complete with a Peg tube surgically inserted in their stomach in order to have nourishment.
The glamour of modeling tends to encourage young women, and men, to consider eating disorder to have a quick slim down plan. Teenage girls see these extra thin models as their ideal body size. Realistic weight loss are often disregarded in favor of a more drastic and unhealthy slim down plan. We need to remember that not everyone can achieve that super thin body. We should not push our bodies to copy a slim model’s look. It is not just healthy to dramatically lose weight in a short span of time.
The media transmits confusing and terrifying messages to children and parents, alike. Some children start to dislike their bodies and desire to be thin. At a tender age, children are focused on resorting to drastic measures such as food restriction that often compromises their well being and even their lives.
An expert on eating disorder, Abigail Natenshon, writes on her website:
“Camp counselors report that 6 and 7 years olds studying nutritional labels on food items as they empty their lunch sacks. A US Department of Health and Human Services task force reports that 80% of girls in grades 3 to 6 have bad feelings about their bodies, an issue diverting their attention from schoolwork and friendship.”
Parents should foster positive images of their children. Children need to know that it is normal for a teenage body to change and grows, as they get older. Media have a way of presenting unrealistic body image that children should not be striving for.
Here are some suggestions:
• Don’t dwell on physical appearance. Point out to children the necessity of being healthy, not being thinly. Empower your children to know their personality, talents, and skills as significant physical attributes.
• Teach your children to use their critical point of view when it comes to media images. Kid-friendly TV shows can promote ideal images. A researcher on eating disorder, Dr. Linda Smolak, shares that parents should ” Limit television viewing and watch with your children.” “This way you can instantly discuss any positive or negative images both you and your child see simultaneously.”
• Be a good role model. The mind of children is similar sponges, which means that they pick up things that you say or do. It does not matter if you are being subtle or intentional. Simple comments such as complains about your flabs, why you should not have ordered chocolate cake, how you need to exercise an extra hour to burn off the cake; all of these comments have an effect to your children. Your kids are listening and start to view food, exercise, and their bodies like you do. Turn things around by giving positive comments rather on negative ones.
• Encourage an active lifestyle. Teach your children that exercise is a fun activity, not something that you do to keep a slim figure nor for weight loss.
• Encourage healthy food choices. Do not tell your kids that dieting and counting calories are fundamental in life. You can opt to promote moderation such as portion sizes of food. In this way, you aren’t labeling foods as either “good” or “bad”.
• Tune in and listen to what your kids say about their bodies. You should not ignore the complaints your kids say about his or her appearance. You should listen and discuss it with them. Embrace this as a perfect opportunity to talk to your child about why he or she feels this way.
• Emphasize that there are different body shapes; there is not a single ideal body image. It is based on age, genetics, lifestyle, and metabolism.
Share us your thoughts on how to empower your children and steer them away from eating disorders. Feel free to drop comments.
Tags: anorexia tips, eating disorder, health, healthy body image of kids