Encouraging a Healthy Body Image
About a year ago, my daughter (then 6 years old) and a few of her friends were on Good Morning America. The segment was about children dieting at a young age. The reporter asked the girls question upon question to try to get some soundbites on their feelings about weight and dieting. Most of the girls commented at some point with my mom thinks she’s fat (my kid said this the loudest), my mom’s always on a diet, or something similar. It was adorable, but did make me reflect upon what I say in the presence of small ears. I won’t curse in front of my kids. I won’t talk badly about other people in front of my kids. So, of course, I am conscious of the fact I am a great influencer on their opinions and values. How often though, do I say things like, “Ugh. I look so fat.” “I have to exercise because I feel like a house.” “I can’t eat that because I will blow up.” Poor body image and eating disorders are a very real problem. The self-judgement can start very young. Check yourself before you lead by example.
Instead of: “I have to exercise because I feel so fat.”
Try: “I have to exercise because I want my heart to be healthy.”
Instead of: “I can’t eat that because I will gain weight.”
Try: “I don’t want to eat that because it makes me feel tired and doesn’t give me the energy my body needs.”
Instead of: “I have to eat this stupid, bland salad because I need to lose weight.”
Try: “Yum!”
Instead of: “Do I look fat in these jeans?”
Try: Not asking that question at all, no one will be honest with you. And, if they agree with you, you’ll be angry;)
It isn’t easy to offset the skinny, self-obsessed voices in the media, but what you say matters — for your girls AND your boys. Focus on healthy living, not looking better. Good health starts with a good attitude and the health values your children learn at a young age will stay with them forever. Start thinking of “fat” in the context of “I’m fat” as the real “F” word.
DID YOU KNOW?:
– 90% of people who have eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25.
– Over one-half of teenage girls and nearly one-third of teenage boys use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting and taking laxatives.
– The average American woman is 5’4” tall and weighs 164 pounds (an unhealthy weight). The average American model is 5’11” tall and weighs 117 pounds (also an unhealthy weight).
