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out of every 10 Canadian girls and women say they are unhappy with their bodies
in some way or another. Equally alarming is that girls as young as four years
old talk about not liking their bodies. Body dissatisfaction can have serious
effects on a person's mental and physical health.
What contributes to an unhealthy body image?
- Girls and women on TV, in magazines and other media portrayed
in an idealistic/unrealistic way.
- A past experience of physical or sexual abuse.
- Parents who are preoccupied with their weight and dieting
- An experience of taunting, bullying or harassment about size,
gender, skin colour or physical abilities.
- A reaction to physical changes at different stages of life,
such as puberty or pregnancy.
- Activities that may encourage thinness, such as dance, gymnastics
and modeling.
Girls unhappy with their bodies:
- May have low self-esteem
- May be uncomfortable doing physical activities
- Are more likely to become preoccupied with their weight and
dieting
- Are at risk of developing eating disorders such as anorexia
and bulimia
- May lose interest in school
- May harm themselves with drugs, alcohol, smoking, unsafe tattooing
or piecing, or unsafe sexual activity with multiple partners
How can we promote healthy body image for our daughters
and other girls we know?
At home:
- Help girls feel good about themselves
- Make time to talk about what is going on in their lives. Try
to create an environment where they will feel safe talking to
you about their concerns with their body and other issues.
- Compliment girls on their strengths, accomplishments and efforts,
instead of focusing on weight, size or appearance.
- Provide them with information they can understand about puberty,
menstruation and sexual health.
- Encourage them to play sports and other activities, and provide
them with the right equipment. Show up at their games and express
pride no matter how they do.
- Encourage the men in your household to read and talk about this
issue, too.
A healthy relationship to food:
- Teach your child to listen to her body and trust its messages.
It is okay to eat when she is hungry, even if it is not mealtime.
- Help her understand the health benefits of certain foods, instead
of talking about "good" or "bad" foods.
- Give your child the opportunity to choose what she will eat.
- Try not to use food as reward or punishment
What else can you do?
- Let all your children know that people come in a variety of
heights, weights, skin colours, and physical abilities. Teach
them that these differences make them unique.
- Help girls understand that weight gain, like developing breasts
and hips, is a normal part of puberty and adolescence.
- Avoid commenting on your own weight. Try not to use the words
"fat", "ugly", or "disgusting" to
describe yourself or others.
- Show respect for other women's work and accomplishments instead
of talking about how they look.
- Consider not having scales in your home.
- Be a role model- let your children see you being active!
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Article prepared by the 
