Steps to a healthy body image

2 mins to read

People of any age can suffer from poor self-perceptions but starting children off on the right foot when it comes to the way they view their bodies is an important defense, Tanya Ryan-Segger explains.

Everyday health

Empowering kids to be confident and happy about their physical attributes is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give, as well as marking a critical step in long-term wellbeing.

Although the proliferation of online media today presents challenges, there are simple things that can be done to nurture positive body image in young people. Here are a handful of ideas to help you tackle the issue head-on and help your kids (and perhaps boost your own morale) confidently step out into the great Aussie outdoors this summer.

Diet - a dirty word
Diets may be a part of adult life but they should not, in general, be part of childhood. Parents should not overuse the term as kids may begin to think eating (healthy or otherwise) is a bad thing and obsess over the idea of becoming fat. If a young person is overweight and a calorie-controlled eating plan is necessary, parents should be mindful not to ostracise the child, especially within a family. Using positive food word associations such as healthy, energy or eating to make you strong rather than all about loosing weight may be a way around tricky situations.

Avoid food as a bribe
Many parents use food as a bribe but experts agree it’s a slippery slope and a real no-no. If used regularly kids may start to feel entitled to food rewards whenever time they behave well – making it too easy for things to spiral out of control.

Set the example
If you voice concern or dissatisfaction about your own or other people’s bodies it is likely that your child will start to mimic such behaviour. Young girls are most at-risk of picking up on their mothers or other influential female role models - aunties, cousins, friends, grandmothers etc, insecurities. Dads and other males (particularly later on) will also have an effect. Setting a good example by accepting and being confident about your own body, regardless of size, is vital. Should parents be attempting to loose or put on weight it’s important, once kids are old enough to understand, to discuss efforts in the context of healthy living or alternatively, be subtle in the way it’s managed.

Be realistic
Many kids will naturally put on weight during puberty, which unfortunately happens to also be an impressionable life stage. If open lines of communication can be established, parents may wish to discuss the possibility of healthy weight gain as part of normal growth and development. If managed well the ability to discuss such things could minimise the risk of future health problems along with avoiding lots of frustration and tears! Helping kids to gain an appreciation of the wide variety of human body shapes and sizes is also important as it will set a realistic benchmark of what an individual can and can’t expect from physical attributes.

Monitor media habits
Although not always easy, it’s important to monitor children’s media consumption to understand what sort of things kids are being influenced by, and also to check online usage. If kids are able to understand that many of the photos of models and celebrities they aspire to are often retouched or airbrushed they may also be less likely to desire a body that doesn’t really exist.

Applaud them
Giving a child genuine praise, not only on their appearance but also accomplishments and efforts, is vital to building self-esteem and confidence. Parents do need to be mindful not to overdo compliments to avoid sounding insincere. Regular and legitimate words of encouragement are vital to the way children view themselves.

Life-long habits
It may seem obvious but sensible dietary and good lifestyle practices are the cornerstones of positive self-perception. If habits such as eating fresh fruit and vegetables and regular physical activity can be established early in life, although not a cast-iron guarantee, it’s a better position for parents to be in should problems crop up later.