Though body image issues have been around for a long time, teens these days need to contend with more pressure than ever to achieve a perfect—and thus unattainable—body standard. What can parents do to help, and how can they identify when there is a problem?
It Starts Early
Though we usually think of teenagers as being the main ones at risk of unhealthy body image, it starts much earlier than you would think. CNN reported in 2015 that over half of girls and one-third of boys aged six to eight think they should be thinner, and that by age seven, one in four children have tried to diet. The earlier you start talking to your child about body image, the better.
This is a difficult area to navigate for parents. On one hand, child obesity is a bigger problem than ever. According to the Center for Disease Control, one in five school-age children are obese. This presents a significant health risk, so it is important to teach children about physical health. When you combine this message with the constant bombardment of unrealistic body standards from the media, which extends to children’s entertainment and toys, it is understandable that body image issues can arise from an early age.
As a parent, it is your job to guide your children toward a positive self-image while educating them on the importance of health. You can achieve this by:
- Always talking about health, rather than “fat” or “thin.”
- Teaching them that “healthy” looks different for everyone.
- Talking to them about how the bodies on TV do not necessarily reflect real life.
- Not putting them on a diet because traditional “diets” foster a fixation on being thin that can lead to obesity and eating disorders later in life. Instead, teach them to enjoy healthy foods.
- Refusing to engage in fat-shaming or body-shaming of any kind in front of them, including toward yourself.
Teens, Body Image, and the Media
By the time your child becomes a teen, they have already been exposed to years’ worth of television, films, and advertising, which unfortunately still present unhealthy or unrealistic body standards. While this was the case with previous generations, the current one has to also contend with social media.
The average teen spends nine daily hours in front of a screen. While social media campaigns for positive body image are becoming more common, there is no denying that it is still a toxic space for young boys and girls. Studies have shown that Instagram, which is used by 76 percent of American teens, can have a negative impact on self-esteem within 30 minutes of scrolling due to influencers with perfect (and airbrushed) bodies, many of which use their platform to sell dieting products.
How to Spot an Eating Disorder
Sometimes, your influence as a parent can only go so far. It is important you know how to identify the signs of an eating disorder, so you can intervene as early as possible. These include:
- Weight fluctuations or sudden weight loss
- Disappearing quickly after meals, as this could be a sign of purging
- An obsessive preoccupation with calories or other food macros (sugar, carbs, or fat)
- Reduced meal portions or skipping meals altogether
- Dizziness, fainting, and general low energy
- Brittle nails, dry hair, discolored teeth
If you suspect your teen may be developing an eating disorder, talk to them as quickly as possible and do not hesitate to take them to a doctor, who may suggest counseling. Also, remember that while eating disorders are usually associated with girls, boys are also at risk. Their warning signs are mostly the same, but they may display a more significant obsession with gaining bulk and muscle.
As a parent, you can provide a loving and supportive home environment, where self-love and body positivity is encouraged. However, you can hardly shield your teens from external influences. Teach your children the importance of a healthy body but have frank conversations about how the media presents bodies. Do this from a young age and continue reinforcing this as they get older. If, despite this, your teens still obsess about their bodies, know the signs of an eating disorder so you can get professional help.
Photo via Pxhere.
