Healthy Inside. Healthy Outside

Health & F tness Healthy Inside. Healthy Outside.

The relationship a young boy or girl has with his/her body is a multi-faceted one. Body image is a combination of the feelings we have about our bodies which are impacted by internal (i.e., personality) and external (i.e., family/social) issues.

Whether it’s in magazines, on billboards, or social media, young people are being bombarded with popular appearance standards. Ubiquitous public messaging for diet and exercise only reinforce these concepts. On a more personal level, while weight discrimination plagues the general culture, we face it as well in our own mini-culture – within our homes, schools, synagogues, etc. Family members generally try to be loving and well-meaning, but they tend to vocalize their “advice” in a straightforward, abrupt manner. For example, asking question like, “You’re wearing your hair like that?” or “Could you try on clothes that fit you better?” While these questions may be intended to offer genuine help, teens often encounter them as negative feedback. To take it a step further, the hurtful comments from peers can be much more significant than those from family members, and if a peer situation intensifies, it can lead to verbal bullying. All in all, this societal pressure and familial influence take a severe toll on the mental health condition of our youth.

To date, the focus of body image research, due to the greater prevalence of these issues, support resources and treatment programs have been aimed at females. However, research now confirms that eating disorders and negative body image in boys is on the rise. Although there are many similarities when it comes to how body image concerns develop in girls and boys, there are a few key differences. For girls, their goal is primarily for slimness, and for boys, they are mostly focused on the lean, strong, muscular ideal. Boys may develop body image concerns as young as 7 years old, but it is more prevalent later in adolescence.

So, what can be done?

The role of parents is critical. They typically observe the issue at its earliest stages and are best positioned to make an impact. Here are several signs that parents can look out for to detect whether their child is having body image issues: 1. Expressing negative thoughts or feelings about their body 2. Avoiding activities that reveal their body 3. Engaging in unhealthy dieting or exercise behaviors 4. Comparing their body to others 5. Showing a lack of confidence or low self-esteem

When one or more of these signs presents itself, parents are advised to seek professional help.

In the way of prevention, one of the best ways for parents to promote a positive body image in their children is to model the behavior and attitude they want their children to have. They do notice. Also, it is up to the parents to teach teens to combat society’s values about a girl’s physicality. Teens should learn to be skeptical of the images they see in the media and not take it at face value. Additionally, parents should speak constructively, with positive messages and sincere compliments about their child’s body. Most importantly, mothers and fathers alike should celebrate their child’s non-physical attributes such as his/her personal attributes, talents, or abilities. When a child feels appreciated it build self-love and self-esteem.

Parents should keep in mind that the long-term goal in developing positive body image is to respect your own body and learn to overpower any potential negative thoughts and feelings with positive, strong, and loving ones. By providing a supportive environment at home, parents can help their children develop a healthy relationship with their physical bodies and their inner selves.

Our clinical department is available to discuss any concerns on this important topic or any other challenge for your child might be facing. Feel free to contact Mindi Werblowsky, LCSW, Clinical Director at mwerblowsky@madraigos.org or 516-371-3250 x 112 for a free, confidential assessment.