Even Before Puberty, Kids Harbor Body Image Concerns:
Even at a young age, many children are dissatisfied with their bodies. Body dissatisfaction, which involves negative thoughts and feelings about one’s own body, can put kids at risk for disordered eating habits such as binge eating or using laxatives or vomiting to lose weight. Researchers from the University of Turku in Finland investigated whether weight during childhood affected a preteen’s body satisfaction.
The study included 205 girls and 230 boys who’d been participating in a heart disease study and had height and weight measurements taken yearly since 7 months of age. At 8 years of age, the children were shown eight drawings that depicted children ranging in size from very thin to very overweight. The kids in the study noted which one of the figures looked the most like them. They also noted which figure they’d most like to look like.
The results? Eight-year-old girls tended to be more dissatisfied with their bodies than boys. The drawings they chose to represent their real and ideal sizes were significantly thinner than those chosen by the boys. Researchers also noted that weight gain during early childhood was linked to children’s satisfaction with their bodies. Children who wished to be thinner at 8 years of age had been heavier than the other children between 7 months and 3 years of age. And compared to other children, children who wished to be thinner at 8 years of age also had gained weight more rapidly between 3 and 8 years of age.
What This Means to You: The results of this study indicate that concerns about body image can start well before puberty. During the early childhood years, kids may be aware of their bodies - and whether they’re heavier than the societal ideal.
As a parent, you can help your child to develop a positive body image, even during the early childhood years. Helping your child make nutritious food choices and developing an active lifestyle is also a good way to support your child in maintaining or getting to a healthy weight. Today is a crucial time to take a stand for your child. My greatest thrill is being blessed with the opportunity to serve and watch someone empower themselves and dream.
Sadly, we live in a culture where dreaming and thinking outside the normal is looked down upon. Truly to enable yourself to become who you desire you must be empowered to deal with obstacles, and many forms of criticism and teasing. So, starting at an early age building your childs confidence and image is crucial.
Truth is nothing is impossible. However, being a dreamer and daring to create something new and powerful will always be met with resistance. I would encourage you to make sure you empower your child, also encourage the right friends who will always empower their choices and cheer them on. Body image and life sometimes becomes one in the same, sadly. However, with the right encouragement their dreams will come true. Your child will be able to hear hurtful words even from those they felt were friends and feel nothing except excitement for their passion. Remember usually those who only try to tear someone down are those who are the most afraid, sad, unhappy, and they need to be encouraged also.
Today, we are in the midst of the greatest comeback the world has ever seen. Who we become is determined by our character and values we share. I choose to only give love, support, and empower those I am around. What will you choose to give to others?
Tollie…
“Empowering Greatness For A Dream-Infused Life!”
Tollie’s Personal Website: www.TollieSchmidt.com
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