Unfortunately, mainly because of social media, many young people have very unrealistic ideas about what they should look like (or what’s healthy). Young girls in particular tend to have very bad body images.
If you are concerned that your child has a negative body image, then you need to take action. Your child’s negative ideas about their body could lead to them developing conditions like anorexia or body dysmorphia.
This post will tell you how you can improve your child’s body image and make them feel more confident.
Showing Statistics
A lot of children think that they should be far more developed than they actually are because classmates or friends are. However, if your child’s height and weight are normal for their age, then you need to show them statistics backing this up. For example, it doesn’t matter if your child’s friends are very tall, if your child is the average height for a 12 year old boy then they have absolutely nothing to worry about. Showing your child statistics that prove they are an average height and weight should help to allay their fears and doubts about the way that they look. If your child is not within normal height or weight levels for their age, then showing them statistics won’t help. Instead, you should talk to them and explain to them that they are beautiful just the way that they are. If their height and weight discrepancies are caused by bad diet or lifestyle issues, then you need to work with them to correct things.
Consider Therapy
Therapy can be a good option for children who are dealing with negative body image, despite being a normal height and weight. Sometimes, therapy can also be a good option for children who are overweight (or underweight) too. Some children overeat or eat too little because they are concerned about the way that they look or are simply not interested. Therapy might seem a little extreme, but it is effective for children who have bad self-images. It can be expensive though, so if you are on a budget, try to seek out therapy for your child through a charity.
Lifestyle Changes
If your child’s body image is negative because they eat too much or aren’t eating enough, then you need to help your child to make lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes like taking up exercise or eating less can help your child’s body image to improve, as well as their health. The way that a child treats their body when they are young will play a large role in how they treat their body as an adult. If you work with them to improve the way that they treat their body (and health) when they are a child, then they will develop healthy habits that they will then carry over into adulthood.
Motivational Talks
Sometimes, children just need motivational talks. If there is absolutely nothing wrong with your child and their negative body image is all fantasy (as in they have nothing to worry about) then talking to your child and explaining this to them will help them to see that they are worrying about nothing and move on. Motivational talks can also be helpful for children who do have problems that they need to resolve and work through.
Supporting Child
Whatever your child is going through, support them. Sometimes, children develop negative body images because they feel isolated and alone. Children at school might be teasing them, or they might be seeing people on social media with perfect bodies and might be worrying about how they look. Your child’s negative body image is something that you can help them to work through, by being supportive, kind, and loving. When a child is dealing with a bad self-image, the thing they need most is for their parents to be supportive and considerate. Make sure that you listen to your child’s problems, too. Do not just discount their negative body image as being ridiculous. Sit down with them and talk to them, exploring their problems, and getting to the root of them.
Negative Influences
Sometimes, children develop a negative body image because of teasing at school or because of other children’s behavior. If you suspect that your child is picking up a negative body image because of children they are around at school, then you need to do everything that you can to eliminate these people from their life. Removing these individuals from your child’s life should help them to correct their negative body image and to start feeling happy with themselves again.
More and more young people are developing negative body images, mainly due to the fact that they are told they have to look perfect in the media. Thankfully, changes are being made in the media to stop this from happening. If your child is developing a negative body image then you need to follow this post’s guidance and bring a stop to it as quickly as possible.
