The Power Of Body Image

By: Megan Ratcliff, PhD., M.P.H., a pediatric clinical psychologist in GMC’s Center for Weight Management. She enjoys helping people to be their best self possible.  

“I’m so fat!” “If only I looked like fill-in-the-blank-beautiful-person, I would be happier.”  We hear statements like this all of the time, sometimes even out of our own mouths. Body-image, how we see our physical selves and how we believe other people see us, is an important part of who we are. It not only affects how we feel but also what we do, sometimes preventing us from pursuing opportunities because we just don’t think we measure up. For many of us, focusing on our perceived imperfections results in a big hit to our self-esteem.

This is especially true in adolescence. Physical and hormonal changes accompanied by interest in dating and increased peer influence can wreak havoc on even the most confident teen. Add to that the unattainable beauty ideals portrayed in the media and it’s no wonder that so many young people struggle with mood and identity issues.

There is no one solution to preventing or treating negative body image. But there are things you can do to help your child nurture a healthy sense of self, no matter his/her weight, shape, size, or physical abilities.

Here are a few suggestions for you to consider:

·         Comment on things other than appearance. Even constant compliments reinforce the message that looks are critically important.

·         Encourage kids to take good care of their bodies: eat well, exercise, drink water, get enough sleep. Focus on health before appearance. Nurturing our bodies is the first step in valuing them.

·        Encourage kids to focus on what they can realistically change. Bone structure, height, body build…some things aren’t worth stressing about since they can’t be easily altered. Good personal hygiene, wearing flattering clothes, and accentuating best features are all doable. 

·     Encourage participation in activities that increase physical mastery and reinforce the message that the body is a powerful tool and not merely ornamental.

·     Beauty/entertainment magazines reinforce unhealthy beauty ideals. Regularly viewing these images is associated with increased body dissatisfaction and disordered eating among youth and adults alike. Throw them out.

·         Point out negative self-talk. “I shouldn’t be eating this.” “I look terrible today.” People often put themselves down without even realizing it, saying things to and about themselves that they wouldn’t even say to their worst enemies. Words are powerful. Shifting from a negative to a positive framework can make a difference.

·         Weighing oneself regularly (i.e., once a week) can be a helpful weight management strategy but too much focus on weight, calories, and size can be destructive, especially for people who are more prone to perfectionistic or Type-A tendencies. It’s a fine line. As a caregiver, don’t be the scale police but if you notice that your child is overly numbers focused, you can help them by doing “blind” weights (i.e., child steps on scale without looking). This may help them to stay on track without being obsessed with the number.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The 7 Worst Foods For Vaginal Health

Image
As if you needed another reason to eat healthier, especially with the start of a new year. Turns out, though, eating a balanced diet not only supports weight loss, boosted energy and improved digestion, it also helps to maintain vaginal health.  According to Sheila Warren, RN, women's health navigator at Gwinnett Medical Center, everything from discomfort and cramping to infection prevention and sexual function can be impacted by your diet.  The truth is, your vagina already does a miraculous job maintaining its overall health and cleanliness. For better or worse, though, the foods you eat do play a powerful role in your health down there. For instance, eating fish rich in omega-3s and probiotic-rich foods help to support the health of your lady parts. While this doesn't mean that you need to drastically change your diet, after all, many of these foods are very nutritious, it's important to know if the foods you eat are helping or hurting your vaginal health: Sw
Read more

7 Surprising Things That Make Your Hands & Feet Fall Asleep

Image
There’s nothing more annoying than when your hand, foot or (insert other appendage) starts tingling and eventually goes numb—you know the feeling. And what’s even worse—the pins and needles you feel as you try desperately to revive circulation and blood flow. This familiar feeling, often referred to as a body part falling asleep, is actually just a result of pressure or compression. In medical terms, you’re experiencing paresthesia. Thankfully, though, this condition usually only lasts for a matter of seconds or minutes. But what happens when no amount of shaking or wiggling can get the pins and needles to stop? Tingling sensations in the hands and feet for extended periods of time may be a symptom of an underlying condition. Here are some of the most common culprits: You have a pinched nerve in your neck or back. Often times, a painful, tingling sensation that extends from your neck or back into your feet may be a sign of a pinched nerve. While this is typically the result of
Read more

Appendicitis vs. Pancreatitis: What You Need To Know

Image
On the one hand, your digestive tract does some amazing stuff—like breaking down food and liquid to help nourish cells and provide you with energy. However, on the other hand, your digestive tract also does some not so amazing stuff—like producing gallstones, acid reflux, bloating, gas and constipation—and that’s just the beginning. In all seriousness, though, you likely experience one or more of these tummy troubles daily. But when is that daily stomach struggle actually something more? (Like it is for millions of people). And what should you do about it? When it’s not just stomach pain… While appendicitis may not be your first thought when your stomach hurts, there’s a reason it’s still the most common type of stomach emergency, right along with acute pancreatitis . Now, if you thought these conditions were basically the same thing, you’re not alone. Here’s a quick look at their key differences: What is appendicitis ? Your appendix is just a little guy—about
Read more