Tips for Promoting Positive Body Image in Children
Written by Corrinia Williams (Clinical Intern) | Edited by Olivia Price, LCPC
According to research conducted by the National Institute of Health, “an estimated 45% of children and teens have body image issues” (NIH, 2024). It is important to remind our children (and others) that no two people will ever be the same and that is okay! Their friend may be a little bigger or smaller than they are at different ages, but that does not mean to treat them (or yourselves) any differently. It is important that we teach our children the importance of loving themselves and the body they are born in. We all know however, with the rise of social media and its unrealistic expectations, this can be challenging. Here are some tips and tricks that may help you and your little ones feel confident and practice self-love!
1. Be a positive body image role model.
You can do this by reflecting on your own body image and how you view yourself. Sometimes children view themselves in the same way their parents do, so lead by example! You can also do this by creating safe spaces for them to vent about their concerns, encouraging them to be social media savvy and combat body image norms, avoid labeling foods as good/bad, and try to avoid discussing/forcing diets as this can cause unhealthy behaviors down the line.
2. Encourage physical activity
Take the family out for a walk, ride a bike around the neighborhood, or assist with practicing mindfulness when enjoying the outdoors. Encourage them to engage in sports in their comminuty or at school and emphasize health and social interaction as an incentive to become active, not necessarily because they need to ‘lose/gain’ weight.
3. Confidence is KEY
Encourage problem solving and managing their emotions related to weight. It is important to teach children healthy coping skills (sleeping, listening to music, walking, etc) and to help them understand that eating is not always the resolution to a bad day. Listen to their concerns about their weight and help them understand that the body will fluctuate over time and that it is okay. Be mindful of joking comments regarding their weight, as something that may seem funny to you may be more serious to them. Lastly, help them to celebrate their strongest values so that they know they are worth something and they do have a place in this world.
4. Connect with their school
Bullying is one of the biggest problems that result in body image issues. All it takes is for one person to say something about them that is different than what they believed, and they could take it to further extremes. If you believe your child may be being bullied, make sure to contact their school principal/counselor as soon as possible to get a handle on the issue, also consult with the school regarding anti bullying programs.. It is important to make sure that the school has interventions/programs surrounding peer pressure and helping children understand what that means. If your child is having issues with their peers altering their state of mind, maybe recommend getting them involved in community interests and groups of their liking! (Better Health AU).
The end goal of this is to help your child or loved one gain body neutrality, which is “a sense of appreciation for one’s body and what it can do without associating negative or positive emotions with it (Childrens’ Hospital of Colorado)” . We want for this generation’s children to more than ever be confident in the body that they wake up in, or to at least be at that level of comfortability where they do not let another person’s worldview of them change their own. This is not to say that all children are considered “healthy” and that nothing should be done to combat those who may need help becoming healthy. This is not a matter of who has the correct body, it is a matter of self esteem and how the child feels about themselves based on their interactions with the world. These tips are also important for guardians of children that do have strong self esteem but instead may be the ones bullying or pressuring their classmates because of the way THEY view themselves. The world will never be a perfect place, but with one child at a time we can at least help them to shine the light on each other when they need it the most.
Resources:
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/body-image-tips-for-parents
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/promoting-positive-body-image-in-children.html