Body Image
What is body image?
Body image refers to how someone feels about their body. It may be positive, negative, or neutral.
What does body image look like for my child?
Your child's body image is shaped by what they see in the mirror, what other people say about their body, and what they see at home, in movies, on TV, and on social media. Bullying and peer pressure may also affect how they feel about their body.
Your child's body image may evolve as they grow, especially if they feel uncomfortable with how their body is changing during puberty. Thoughts about body image may go beyond appearance. They may start thinking more about their overall health and strength and how it compares to others'. You may notice your child talking about their body more often, asking more questions about it, and having stronger or more frequent emotions about it than usual.
If your child makes critical comments about how they look or seems worried about their weight, they may have a negative body image. Help your child identify what may be contributing to that negative body image, and if possible, help them reframe it into something positive.
How can I prepare to talk with my child about body image?
Before talking with your child, consider your own body image. How do you talk about your appearance? If you tend to criticize your looks or your weight, your child may learn that behavior.
Instead of making negative comments about your body or other people's bodies, make an effort to model body positivity. Share what you love about your body and what your body allows you to do.
When should I start a conversation about body image?
Many kids struggle with body image at some point in their lives, especially during puberty, when their bodies change quickly.
While these feelings are normal, watch for signs of a more serious issue, like an eating disorder. If you notice your child has changed their eating or exercise habits or is weighing themselves more frequently, consult an expert such as a doctor or mental health professional.
How can I start a conversation with my child about body image?
If your child is interested in social media, talk with them about how the images they see there are almost always cropped, filtered, and retouched to look a certain way. According to The Jed Foundation, many teens report feeling worse about their bodies after spending time on social media, because they compare their own real bodies with the manipulated images they see online. Ask your child if they ever feel that way.
Here are a few ways to start:
- Ask your child if they've had experiences or conversations that made them feel bad about how they look. How did they respond? What might they do differently if it happened again?
- Talk about why self-esteem matters—it helps people believe in themselves and feel confident. Very low self-esteem can contribute to anxiety, depression, and disordered eating. If you've struggled with your own body image, share that with your child.
- Discuss how eating a balanced diet and staying physically active can help your child feel stronger, healthier, and more confident as they take on more responsibility for caring for themselves.
- Remind your child to look at social media posts with a critical eye. What do they think has been retouched or edited? If an account that promotes dangerous diets or unhealthy fitness routines makes them feel bad about themselves, encourage them to unfollow, mute, or block it.
- Emphasize that each person's body is different. Just because someone else eats or exercises a certain way doesn't mean it's healthy—or that anyone else who does the same will look the same way.
How can I continue supporting my child with their body image?
Thank your child for talking with you about body image. If you can tell they don't like what they see in the mirror, talk about what might help. Would they like to talk with a therapist? Do they want to take a break from social media or remove harmful accounts from their feed? Do they want to spend less time with a critical friend?
In addition to complimenting your child's appearance, look for opportunities to praise their attitude, effort, and talents. Encourage friendships with people who make your child feel good about who they are and how they look.