By Anita Federici
Messages about body image and what is and isn’t acceptable in our society bombard us everyday. We now live in a culture where natural body changes that occur with development, puberty, pregnancy, and menopause are pathologized. We see images of pregnant celebrities being praised for dropping their “baby weight” in a matter of weeks. With advances in technology and Photoshop, models can now be slimmed down, stretched out, and re-touched into unrealistic and unattainable depictions of the female form. While many parents have concerns about what their kids are exposed to on television, its important to realize that the television is not the only place kids learn about body image. Facebook, Twitter, magazines, and Internet sites may all play a part in the types of messages your son or daughter receives about body image and self-worth.
How do we know that our kids are affected? Recent studies have shown that:
So what can you do to help your son or daughter maintain healthy levels of self-esteem, self-assurance, and self-worth?
Educate. Knowledge is power. Talk to your kids about what they're learning and exposed to in the media. Ask them how the media affects them. Challenge what they see by educating them on the way images are manufactured to represent unrealistic and unattainable standards.
Advocate and get involved. There are now programs, designed for a school's curriculum, that promote and discuss healthy body image and self esteem. These programs focus on helping kids discover a strong and healthy sense of identity and a sense of self. Talk to your children's schools and the resources in your community to learn more and see how a similar program can be offered at your school.
Think outside the box. Get creative with your kids and their friends. Host a monthly cooking party with your child and several of his or her friends where you can teach healthy eating habits, talk to them about healthy body image, and demonstrate that balanced eating is fun and healthy. Or create a "gratefulness" activity into the day. Have the whole family sit in a circle before bed and get everyone to name one (non-appearance) thing that they are grateful for in the day. This is a great way to focus on strengths, even when times get tough, and a nice way to connect as a family!
Be mindful of the messages that get reinforced in your own home. Children and teenagers are more likely to have problems with body image and self-esteem if body issues, dieting, and/or other disordered eating behaviors are prevalent within the family. As a parent, you are one of their strongest role models. Remove the scales from the house and model balanced eating and exercise habits.
Redefine success. When the dominant message is that success is based on appearance, kids tend to internalize that message and judge their worth based solely on what they look like or what clothes they are wearing. Instead, focus on what your kids are already doing well. Did you know that praising kids for their effort and persistence leads to greater growth and less vulnerability in life that emphasizing whether they succeeded or failed at something? Help your children identify and feel confident in their natural abilities and skills. Shift the focus inward to their strengths and capacities rather than on their outward appearance to help them develop a strong core sense of self.
Next week: How do we determine level of care for eating disorder treatment?
Contributions by Sarah Emerman