Wellbeing

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.