The Skinny on Giving Your Girls a Healthy Body Image
As models and actresses walk the red carpet in size 0 clothes waving their bony arms at the paparazzi, and gossip rags report on every lump and bump, your little girl might be watching every minute of it.With ultra-thin bodies displayed on TV, movies, magazines and department-store ads, even girls as young as five have picked up on the notion that the “ideal” female body is skinny. Look at any magazine cover in the checkout aisle, and you’ll see headlines about quick-fix diets and better-body exercise tips.
This may be confusing for any normal young girl, tween or teen, especially as puberty hits and their bodies begin to morph into new, more womanly shapes.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health, many other factors contribute to a growing girl’s body image, including already-low self-esteem, peer pressure, teasing, or having a mother who is overly concerned with dieting and weight.
With society telling them they must be “thin,” many girls are at risk of developing unhealthy behavior to stay that way. Perfectly normal girls of average weight may decide they’re “overweight” and resort to skipping meals, taking diet pills or exercising to the extreme, all of which can lead to poor nutrition, fatigue and difficulty concentrating, plus a host of other health concerns. In extreme cases, girls may start unhealthy habits, such as smoking, to lose weight, or develop eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia.
Here’s what you can do to help your daughter keep perspective.
Most important, be a good role model. Stop complaining about your weight or body shape – at least in front of your kids. If you’re overweight, stay away from “miracle” diets and talk to your doctor or nutritionist instead. Show your kids how to choose foods wisely and stay active, and emphasize good health and the great things your body can do. Stock your refrigerator and cupboards with nutritious meals and snacks, and let your daughter make her own decisions about food.
It’s important to let your daughter know that gaining weight is a normal part of growing up, especially during puberty, and that her friends might be a range of sizes. Some girls develop early and have a temporary layer of fat before a growth spurt, while others say skinny no matter what. Tell her that body type is based not only on how you eat and exercise, but also partly on genetics.
Explain to her the many qualities, not just appearance, that make her attractive to others, including her talents, personality, accomplishments and values. Setting and accomplishing goals will help her feel strong, in-control, positive and resilient.
It’s also a good idea to limit TV watching, and to point out negative role models on TV or in ads. Explain that many of the pictures she sees of super-skinny women are often doctored-up photos. Tell her that nobody’s perfect, and even models have things about themselves that they’d like to change; the trick is to accept yourself no matter what and to play up your best attributes.
If your daughter or a friend is being teased at school, talk to her teacher or school officials to see what can be done. Every school should have policies against bullying, sexual harassment or racial prejudice.
Finally, if your daughter seems overly fixated on her weight or appearance, and she’s showing signs of depression, loss of interest in school or friends, or risky behavior like drug abuse or eating disorders, don’t hesitate to seek help from your family doctor, a school guidance counselor or therapist.
Finally, if your daughter seems overly fixated on her weight or appearance, and she’s showing signs of depression, loss of interest in school or friends, or risky behavior like drug abuse or eating disorders, don’t hesitate to seek help from your family doctor, a school guidance counselor or therapist.
