Promoting Positive Body Image in Children: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers

By Rachel Kruman, Social Work Practicum Student

The topic of eating disorders and body image is coming up more and more in our daily lives especially in today’s world, where children are constantly exposed to unrealistic expectations through social media. As a parent or caregiver, helping your child build a positive body image is so important!

Between the messages they see in social media and the comments they hear in everyday conversations; kids are always taking in information. That’s why it’s so important to create an environment where children feel good about their bodies and confident in who they are. Small, simple steps can be taken each day that can make a big difference in how your child views, and talks about, their bodies. Let’s explore some ways you can start modeling and promoting a healthy body image with your child.

Model Positive Body Talk

Children are far more observant than one might realize. One of the most powerful ways to support your child’s body image is by modeling it yourself! Kids pick up on how the people around them, like parents, caregivers, and their own friends, talk about their bodies. For example, if your child hears you making negative comments about your body, that becomes normalized for them, and they may comment negatively about their bodies as well. Hearing their caregiver talk about their body in a nice way goes a long way. Speaking kindly about your body, having positive affirmations, and shifting from how a body looks, to what a body can do is very impactful and those kinds of messages really stick with them.

Social Media and Body Image

Social media is more accessible than ever, even for young children. Social media can exploit a distorted version of reality and lead to unhealthy comparisons. As a caregiver, it is important to be aware of the things your child is seeing on their technology. Help them recognize that what they see online isn't always attainable or a reality.

Encouraging books or shows that have diverse body types, abilities, and backgrounds is a great tool for this. Making sure your child is seeing positive messages on social media is crucial, because when children see people in the media being treated with kindness and respect, they begin to reflect that back onto themselves. Also, try to shift compliments away from appearance alone and praise things like kindness, creativity, bravery, and effort!

Talk About Food Without Judgment

How we talk about food also has a big impact on body image and can play a role in disordered eating. As a parent, it is important not to label foods as “good” or “bad.” Instead, promote a balanced diet that includes variety, nutrition, and of course enjoyment. Having positive talk around food and modeling a healthy relationship with eating helps children do the same and will allow them to have a healthier relationship with food.

The Importance of Open Communication

As children grow, it’s going to be natural, and important, to talk more openly about body image and what they’re seeing or hearing from peers and online. Talk to your child about the realities of social media and help them understand that what’s shown isn’t always true or healthy. Having a space with your child to ask how you can support them and be a safe person for them to share their thoughts and feelings can go a long way in building their confidence. There is no perfect way to support and model positive body image with children, but through being consistent, non judgemental, and through open conversations, children can grow up seeing their bodies in so many positive ways!

Workshop

For more information on this topic, please join me on Monday, July 21st at 5:30pm for a workshop on understanding eating disorders and body image! This is a virtual workshop for parents that will discuss eating disorders, body image, social media, and how parents can support their teens. Let’s dive deeper into this topic together! RSVP on the Mala website.

Helpful Resources for Parents and Caregivers

Books for Kids:

Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder
I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont
Her Body Can by Katie Crenshaw & Ady Meschk

Books for Parents:

The Body Image Book for Girls by Charlotte Markey (also great for teens)
Raising Body Positive Teens by Signe Darpinian, Shelley Aggarwal & Wendy Sterling
More Than a Body by Lexie and Lindsay Kite
Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture by Virginia Sole-Smith

Podcasts & Videos:

Your Parenting Mojo – Body Image & Kids episode
TED Talk: “Body Positivity Isn’t Just for Girls” by Ashley Graham
The Full Bloom Podcast

Websites & Organizations:

National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) – educational tools and support for families

Promoting Positive Body Image in Children: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers