Teenage Body Image Issues: How can parents handle “Negative Body Images”?

Did you know a teenager spends around nine hours a day surfing social media; and hardly about 10 minutes talking to their parents? With this length of social media surfing, major teenage body image issues can emerge. Teens get heavily influenced, especially on how they should look. Unfortunately, almost all social media platforms are filled with images that give teenagers a false sense of how their bodies should look. Unrealistic filters accentuate photos that make them look extremely thin, have flawless skin, high cheekbones, plush lips and hide all little flaws. Teenagers feel vulnerable and unable to measure up. They perceive themselves as lacking features of the ‘ideal and stereotypical’ body type.

But what most teens forget is that these photos are too fake to be accurate, thanks to air-brushing and photoshop. To strive for the perfect body, they tend to follow unhealthy eating habits, which affects their physical & mental well-being and self-confidence. As a parent or guardian, you should look out for signs showing that your child has some severe body image problems. Keep a check if your kid is always looking at the imperfections, seeking reassurance on how they look; whether they are constantly talking negatively about how they look and declaring themselves as ugly; whether they speak about cosmetic changes, or if your kid is obsessed with the gym, among others.

Teenage Body Image Issues: Development of Eating Disorders

Many times teens and tweens become very depressed with their bodies and develop low-self esteem. They, unfortunately, end up suffering from eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and purging, among others. Other signs such as excessive and sudden weight loss, too much workout, usage of laxatives, nutritional supplements and sneaking food should not go unnoticed as these are also related to negative body image. Lack of interest in studies, social withdrawal, lack of energy, changes in sleep and diet; and wanting alone time, among others, are some red flags, and he or she needs immediate attention.

Teenage Body Image Issues: How can parents take care of poor body image among teens

Parents can positively influence their kids by talking about their bodies and accepting them. Your eating and lifestyle habits indirectly or directly leave positive/negative impacts on your kids. As a parent, you cannot expect them to have a positive body image while you compare him/her and body shame.

You may not be able to tackle or prevent their media usage; however, you can discuss how they may see an idealized version of beauty on media that should not bother them, how these are unhealthy body images, and how people follow unsafe diets and lifestyles.

You can also explain to them how they should accept their bodies and how everybody is unique and more beautiful in their way than the ones shown in Magazines and TV. One can also explain that a healthy body is more important than a perfect photoshopped body.

Reveal the reality of the advertising or marketing world. You can make them aware of how heavily edited photos are unrealistic.

Don’t try to brush this topic under the carpet; instead, make it a common talk topic that will help your teenager to segregate the fakeness of media and have a less negative impact.

Make sure you and your kids follow a healthy diet and make them aware that exercising is a must for health and not just to gain or lose weight or to get a specific body type.

Tell them how aside from outer appearance, one needs to be a good person and praise their innate values, ethics, and attributes.

As a parent, make sure you listen to your children and inquire about the feelings of their bodies. If necessary, seek help from a therapist if you think they have negative body image issues.

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