Nutrition & Body Image
10:43 AM
"I'm fat." "I'm too skinny." "I would be happier if I had bigger muscles." Do you hear your teen say or imply these ideas?
What is Body Image?
Body Image is our personal view and interpretation of our body, including mental, emotional, historical and physical components. It is a picture of the body seen through the mind's eye.
What causes poor Body Image?
Our culture seems to be obsessed with physical appearance -- particularly with body shape and size. This obsession, combined with pre-teens' and teens' maturing bodies and social desire to fit in can lead to an unhealthy body image. The images in mass media that fill magazines, newspapers, and television present teens with narrowly defined standards of attractiveness and an ideal that is often unrealistic.
Physical appearance actually has little to do with body image -- self-esteem is probably the biggest factor influencing our perceptions of our body and our body image. As a parent, you can significantly influence how good your teen feels about his or her body.
Teen nutrition
- Educating teens about nutrition will empower them to make positive changes on their own. Avoid labeling foods as "good" or "bad". Teaching moderation and balance in food choices across food groups promotes lifelong healthy eating patterns. One study found that female teens whose mothers imposed restrictions on certain “snack foods” actually ate more of those snack foods in an unrestricted setting (Fisher, 1999).
- Good nutrition, along with exercise, relieves stress and makes teens healthier and happier.
- If your teen has a weight problem, encourage him or her to choose lower fat choices from the food groups and to exercise regularly.
- Have dinner together as s helps create a safe and nurturing environment for your teen, and it is often more nutritious and less caloric thana family. Thi eating out.
Let It Be
Teens will know if you are anxious over their size and appearance. It is important that you do not stress over your teen's body. The more pressure you create to lose weight or build muscle, the less likely teens will be to do it; and they will be more likely to feel badly about themselves.
Promoting a healthy body image
Research has shown that family meals influence behaviors beyond eating. One study demonstrated that teenage girls who ate with their families at least 5 times per week were less likely to develop eating disorders over a 5 year period than those who did not. Furthermore, they were less likely to participate in sexual activity, to be anti-social, and to be involved in violence (Eisenberg, 2008).
One of the best things you can do to promote and healthy body image is be a positive role model. If you are critical of your body and your physical imperfections, your teen will notice. Celebrate your body and promote acceptance and pride of all body shapes and sizes.
Fisher et al. found that parents who were concerned about their own eating habits were more controlling of their children’s intakes.
It is important to help children identify a healthy lifestyle that balances nutritious eating and physical activity without favoring either the extreme of overweight or disordered eating (Neumark-Stainer, 2007).
Focus on positive aspects of your children’s bodies and avoid weight-based jokes or remarks at home to help create a “safe” eating and living environment.
"Teen Nutrition and Body Image" by Meals Matter. For the full article and more visit http://www.mealsmatter.org/Articles-And-Resources/Healthy-Living-Articles/Teens-Body-Image.aspx
Best Teen Diets recommends healthy well balanced eating that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and low-fat or fat-free dairy. We offer nutrition information for teens, parents and educators that emphasizes the importance of healthy eating for peak performance. For more information visit www.bestteendiets.org
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