5 Ways to Raise Body Confident Children

Written by CCTC Staff Writer

Raising children to be body confident is an incredibly important task for any parent. Body confidence is the belief that one’s body is beautiful, capable, and worthy of respect no matter its shape or size. This can have a big impact on a child's self-esteem and mental health, as well as their physical wellbeing.

In this blog we will discuss:

The impacts of negative body image in children and adolescents
How negative body image increases the risk of children developing disordered eating habits
5 ways to help children build body confidence

Why is preventing negative body image in children so important?

The effects of negative body image on children and adolescents can be significant and far-reaching. Research has shown that self-objectification at a young age can lead to depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and low self-esteem in later life.

Additionally, it is not uncommon for those who view themselves with an unfavorable lens to become fixated on their physical appearance and have difficulty accepting compliments or celebrating successes due to feelings of inadequacy. This can interfere with the normal development of healthy relationships with peers, family members, and even one’s own self. Experiencing these issues during childhood can be particularly damaging as it sets the tone for how one views themselves for years to come.

How does negative body image potentially lead to development of disordered eating?

Negative body image has been linked to the development of disordered eating habits and eating disorders in children. Feeling ashamed or inadequate about one’s physical appearance can lead to preoccupation with food, dieting, and over-exercising. People may resort to extreme measures such as purging, fasting, calorie counting, or restricting their food intake in order to try and control their weight.

Statistics show that negative body image and dieting are major issues among children and teens. Over 60% of girls in grade 5 are already worried about their bodies and this increases to 80% by grade 8. About one-third of boys aged 6–8 have already tried to lose weight, while 40% of teenage girls have reported engaging in disordered eating behaviors such as fasting or skipping meals. Moreover, up to 25% of adolescents with anorexia nervosa are male, which is further evidence that these conditions affect people of all genders.

This behavior can quickly become entrenched as an unhealthy coping mechanism and potentially progress into a full-blown eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia.

For this reason, it is essential that parents address any issues around negative body image early on in order to help protect their child from developing harmful relationships with their body and food.

5 ways to foster body confidence in children

Parents are integral in helping their children develop a positive body image and self-esteem. Creating an environment where children learn to love and accept themselves is essential for fostering good physical health and mental wellbeing. Here are 6 ways that parents can promote body confidence in their kids:

1. Understand your own body image

As a parent, it is important to explore your own negative body image in order to better equip yourself for raising confident children. This can include reflecting on any personal experiences of low self-esteem or feelings of inadequacy related to physical appearance, as well as examining any pervasive messages about beauty and perfection that you may be unconsciously passing on to your children. Taking the time to do this can help you become aware of any biases or preconceptions about physical attractiveness that may be influencing how you talk about body image with your kids, and in turn, equip you with the tools necessary to foster a positive environment where everyone feels accepted and validated for who they are. Modeling a healthy body image is key to helping children learn how to feel good about their bodies and not compare themselves with others.

If you struggle with your own body image, it’s okay! It can be difficult to unlearn the many messages you have absorbed over the years. If you need help working through your own body image issues, reaching out to a therapist who specializes in body image can be a great first step.

2. Refrain from diet talk

It is also important for parents to avoid engaging in diet talk in front of their children. Dieting and discussing weight loss around kids can send the message that being thinner or having the “perfect body” is more desirable than any other version of themselves, which could lead to feelings of insecurity and inferiority. Discussing food choices should instead be focused on promoting healthy eating habits, emphasizing nutrition and bodily functions rather than appearance. This will help children see food as nourishment, not a source of shame or guilt. By avoiding diet talk altogether, parents can set the stage for children to have healthier relationships with their bodies and learn to love themselves just the way they are.

3. Talk openly about different body types

Teaching kids that everyone is different and unique helps them develop a positive body image. Emphasizing the differences in body types and shapes will help them to appreciate their own and learn to accept others as well. The media is filled with images of what society considers “perfect” or “ideal” body types, so it is important to pay attention to what children are watching or reading. One way to do this is to expose them to books and movies that feature characters of different sizes who embody characteristics to celebrate such as courage, bravery and caring about others.

4. Encourage healthy behavior, without focusing on weight

Helping children develop healthy habits is essential in encouraging body confidence. The important part is doing this without focusing on weight or physical appearance. When encouraging children to eat nutritious foods, highlight the way certain foods give them energy to pay attention in school or play their favorite sport. Finding movement that makes children feel good about themselves. Outside of nutrition and movement, other healthy behaviors such as getting enough sleep or learning to practice self-care are also important.

5. Focus on the heart instead of physical appearance

The most important thing parents can do to help their children be body confident is to focus on what's inside - their unique personalities and qualities, rather than just how they look physically. Emphasizing inner beauty over outward appearance will go a long way to helping kids feel good about their bodies.

All in all, teaching children to be body confident is an invaluable responsibility for any parent. If you find yourself or your child struggling with body dissatisfaction or disordered eating, you are not alone. Finding professional support to begin the road to recovery and healing is extremely important.

The Central Coast Treatment Center for Eating, Exercise, and Body Image Disorders offers support to adults, adolescents, and children. Learn more about our treatment programs and contact our Admissions team today.

Ai PonoFebruary 14, 2023