Kids Must Develop a Positive Body Image

Healthy Weight Reflects a Positive Body Image

Body image is the opinion that we have about our body. Irrespective of size and weight, children can have a positive or negative view of their body. While the society plays a pivotal role in churning a child’s mind about weight, parents and other members in the family are responsible for shaping a positive body image for children, even three-year-old kids.

Kids with a positive body image feel more confident and comfortable about their ability to succeed. These kids are not constantly worried about calories, food or weight and they feel energized to do physical activity. Whereas, kids with a negative body image are more self-conscious, anxious and isolated. They become prone to eating disorders and gaining excess weight.

Try to incorporate these tips to gift your child the happiness of a positive body image.

Never Discuss About Your Body Image in Front of your Child

Parents have a strong influence over their child’s thoughts and this point is detailed in the website www.firsteatright.com. When parents worry about their diet schedules or discuss about workout routines children also feel the need to follow the same. They begin to worry about their weight and assume they too should practice dieting.

Bring Health into Limelight

Your focus should be health and not weight. Stop thinking about the numbers on the scale and start concentrating on enhancing nutrition value and physical activity levels. Playing out with friends is the best workout for your child. There is no need for a child to count his/her calorie intake or restrict food portions. Teach them to make smart, nutritious snack choices and help them relish their meals. Nutrition and fitness are two magic words that make a person feel energized to perform anything that he/she thinks of doing. Regardless of our age, we feel better when we care for our body and fitness quotient.

Exercise is not the Only Form of Physical Activity

A positive body image makes a person feel fit, strong and capable. Allow kids to choose activities that they enjoy. It can be walking, a ride on the bike, yoga, karate or a hip-hop dance class. It is not what they do for physical fitness but what matters is that they do something as part of a regular physical activity.

Suppress Bullying at School

Overweight children are generally bullied at school. Speak with the school authority and ask the nutrition staff to promote the concept of being healthy at every size. If you find your child being bullied for weight or for any other reason, speak directly to the school counselor or administrator.

Break the “Picture-Perfect” Stereotype

Encourage your children to voice their opinion on television or magazine models and celebrities who promote slimness. Make them understand that the pictures of models seen in ads or shows have been reworked or edited to appear “picture-perfect.”