Kids & Body Image

Avoid constantly talking about diets and your own weight or your child’s weight if you want your child to grow up with a healthy body image. Focus on balanced meals, portion control, and physical activities that you can enjoy together instead of stressing appearance or weight loss. 

Teach your children other values. Praise them for good grades, participating in sports, extracurricular activities, playing an instrument, helping someone in need, and just being themselves. 

Source: Psychologist Laura Kastner, PhD, Seattle, WA in Hope Health Letter, December 2006, Vol. 26, No. 12