According to Dr. Ulrich at The Mayo Clinic, “Children and teens who have negative thoughts about their bodies are at an increased risk of low self-esteem, depression, substance use, eating disorders, and unhealthy body weight, including being underweight or overweight” (2021).

Positive Body Image Leads to:

  • Higher self-esteem
  • Healthy lifestyle behaviors
  • Healthy relationships with food/exercise
  • Better grades in school
  • Decreased depression/anxiety
  • Decreased risk taking behaviors such as self-harm, substance use, suicidal ideation

Negative Body Image Leads to:

  • Decreased openness or communication in relationships
  • Increased risk for body dysmorphia (usually caused by bullying or abuse)
    • A person spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in their appearance
      • Avoids mirrors
      • Constantly exercise to change appearance
      • Hiding their bodies under clothes, makeup

Ways to promote a Healthy Body Image

  • Talk about different body shapes/sizes/skin colors and how everyone is different
  • Discuss the importance of being different from everyone else
  • Avoid comparison of your body to another person
  • Discuss healthy eating/exercise habits
    • Importance of a well-rounded diet
      • Avoid fad diets, binge eating and starving oneself
    • Healthy exercise
      • 30-45 mins/day for at least 3 days a week
      • Moderate activity level-walking, swimming
  • Review with kids/teens the importance of surrounding themselves with people who participate in positive body talk and are not critical of others’ bodies
  • Talk about social media and the potential for the negative effects it can have on others
  • Remind kids/teens that weight is a number and many things can affect this including:
    • Muscle mass
    • Weight to height ratio
    • Male vs female
    • Puberty