Wellbeing Notices

Some Body Image Tips for Parents

- From Josie Mitchell, Secondary School Nurse

Check out the Butterfly Foundations Website! Body Kind Month is happening in September but there is lots we can do before then! https://butterfly.org.au/get-involved/campaigns/bodykindschools/

Everyone deserves to feel comfortable and confident in their own skin.

BEING A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL

Is about doing simple, positive things:

• Avoid making negative comments about your own body or appearance (photos too) in front of your child.

• Speak kindly about all body shapes – celebrate diversity

• Focus on what your body CAN do

• Avoid fad diets, diet foods & excessive exercise regimes

• Use positive words to describe food and exercise

• Demonstrate self-pride over self-obsession

• Disengage from ‘Fat Talk’..

So …..WHAT IS ‘FAT TALK’?

….“Do I look fat in this’?....

….‘I feel so FAT’….

….‘You look great, have you lost weight?....

In other words talking that reinforces thin beauty ideals is FAT TALK!

A POSITIVE BODY IMAGE HOME

• Be mindful of language – work to reduce the use of negative words such as ‘fat’ ‘skinny’

• Be mindful of the labels on food packaging – diet foods or ‘no fat’ can send a strong message to a child

• Don’t put up with weight or appearance based teasing

• Be mindful of the language used when watching television shows or at meal times

• Place scales (if you must have them) away from view to discourage a child/teen from weighing themselves – especially during puberty!

ESTABLISHING A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD & EXERCISE

• Use words such as ‘Everyday’ & ‘Sometimes’ foods – not ‘good’ or ‘bad’ food

• Encourage BALANCE, MINDFULLNESS & AWARENESS around food and eating

• Help them understand the difference between eating when hungry and emotional eating (tired, boredom, stressed). It takes 20 minutes for our stomachs to feel full!!

• Encourage them to listen to their tummy. Are they hungry, full or satisfied?

• Encourage exercise and activity for fun and health instead of weight loss or weight management.