Give Your Child a Great Body Image!

Being a mother and grandmother I thought you would be interested on this topic. This is of particular concern especially with girls. After I read it,I decided to share it with you all. I would love if you share your thought!

Give Your Child a Great Body Image!

Have you seen the alarming studies showing that children — especially girls — start developing negative feelings about their body shape as young as age eight? Experts believe this self-criticism can lead to many kinds of problems, including low self-esteem, eating disorders, secret dieting, and other dangerous behaviors. So what can a parent do to help teach a child how to love herself or himself?
First, make sure you aren't accidentally reinforcing the problem by criticizing your child's appearance or comparing his or her figure to others'. Next, help your child see that eating right and staying active is a great way to nurture oneself and one's body. Third, teach your child to question the pressure to fit a particular "media" image of beauty, and positively reinforce your child's own unique qualities and beauty. And finally, be a good role model by confronting your own body issues and taking care of yourself — and not just when you're at your "ideal" weight. Because after all, when you like your body, you naturally want to treat it right. And that's a lesson that will serve both you and your child for life.Have you seen the alarming studies showing that children — especially girls — start developing negative feelings about their body shape as young as age eight? Experts believe this self-criticism can lead to many kinds of problems, including low self-esteem, eating disorders, secret dieting, and other dangerous behaviors. So what can a parent do to help teach a child how to love herself or himself?
First, make sure you aren't accidentally reinforcing the problem by criticizing your child's appearance or comparing his or her figure to others'. Next, help your child see that eating right and staying active is a great way to nurture oneself and one's body. Third, teach your child to question the pressure to fit a particular "media" image of beauty, and positively reinforce your child's own unique qualities and beauty. And finally, be a good role model by confronting your own body issues and taking care of yourself — and not just when you're at your "ideal" weight. Because after all, when you like your body, you naturally want to treat it right. And that's a lesson that will serve both you and your child for life.