How To Talk About Body Image With Your Children

Body image is a hot topic for parents, no matter how old our children are. The pictures of people that we see on the TV, online and on social media is making adults and children have unrealistic expectations of what we should look like. So what do we say to our own children if we want them to accept themselves just as they are?

Talk to them throughout their childhood

Start to talk about body image from elementary school age, says Gail Saltz, associate professor of psychiatry at New York’s Presbyterian Hospital. Children at this age are so curious, so open up to them and explain what their bodies can do. It’s essential to start using the correct names for different body parts, and not words that make talking about them seem embarrassing.

Middle school is the time to let children know their bodies are their own, so talk to them about the consequences of using them. It’s also the time puberty begins, and when this natural process starts will differ from child to child, so let them know that being different is normal.

High school is when children feel pressure to conform to the beauty standards we see in the media every day, so ensure you emphasize how incredible the human body is.

Don’t talk numbers

It’s best to speak about health and behavior when you talk to children about weight, and not numbers or someone’s appearance. A University of Minnesota study found that teenagers whose parents focused on their size or weight when talking about food (for example, saying they shouldn’t eat certain foods because they’d get fat) were more likely to go on extreme diets or show behaviors, such as fasting or binge-eating. Teens whose parents focused on the healthiness of food and not weight were less likely to have eating problems.

Be positive

The adults in your child’s life are strong influences. One study of eight-year-olds indicated a parent’s body image played a role. Think about what language you may use in front of them, as it’s easy for them to pick up on feelings when we don’t realize. If we keep saying we’re going on a diet, for example, the message is that it’s not good to weigh too much, but without knowing what too much is.

Look for professional advice

If your child develops an issue with their body image, visit your physician to see what options are available to help with the condition.

Problems with body image can lead to mental health issues and eating disorders, which can harm your child. Residential programs may be an option for your teen; have a look at igniteteentreatment.com to get more of an idea of what’s available. On-site facilities may not be best for your teenager, so therapy sessions could be a better fit.

If you think your child has an issue with body image, speak to them about their feelings – and, if you don’t know how to start that conversation, seek professional help for advice.