A Look in the Mirror

Your 12-year-old son comes home from soccer practice feeling discouraged. He says he doesn't feel as strong as his teammates and that he'll never make the junior varsity team.

As a parent, it's important to be aware that your child's experience of his or her body, also known as body image, can become confusing as he or she enters adolescence and his or her physical appearance starts changing. Children often start making more comparisons about appearances as they grow and change at their own unique pace. Peers may make embarrassing comments or suggestions about your child's body - or children might make critical statements about themselves. Either way, it's important to talk with your child about body image and the difference between physique fact and fiction. Find tips on helping encourage a healthy body image for your teen in our wellness section.

"Idols for children and teens are often media celebrities who present an 'ideal' image that is unattainable and unrealistic because these images are digitally enhanced or altered in some fashion, " explained Cinda Nab, RD, Clinical Dietitian with the Eating Disorders Program at Children's Hospital Colorado. "There isn't enough emphasis on everyone having his or her own unique body, which is what makes us all more interesting. Children and teens don't hear this enough, and it's our job as parents and adults to remind them of that. "

Encouraging a Positive Body Image

Because adolescents are in a sensitive period of growth and development, promoting a healthy body image can sometimes be a double-edged sword.

"If a child is interested in eating healthier and exercising more, this should be supported by the parent," said Jennifer Hagman, MD, Medical Director of the Eating Disorders Program at Children's. "However, if parents don't keep a watchful eye on their young one's eating and exercise habits and encourage a healthy balance, it can backfire. Children can become overly focused on the fear of being fat, causing them to carry dietary and exercise habits to the extreme."

To help avoid the development of poor body image, Dr. Hagman recommends parents:

• Encourage open communication.
• Be positive and supportive about your child's interests and achievements, and don't focus only on appearance.
• Avoid negative or critical comments about appearances.
• Keep a watchful eye on nutrition and physical activity.
• Listen to the little comments, such as "I don't like how I look in this."
• Pay attention to your children and their daily behaviors.

For additional information read articles written for teens and parents about body image.

Food Is Not the Enemy

Eating disorders can affect people of all ages, including children, teens and adults. Jennifer Hagman, MD, Medical Director of the Eating Disorders Program at Children's Hospital Colorado, advises parents to seek help immediately if they suspect their child has an eating disorder.

Signs of eating disorders, which can include anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, include:

• Changes in eating patterns and food preferences
• Disappearance of food at home
• Dizziness
• Evidence of vomiting
• Loss of periods for girls
• Weight loss or fluctuation

"Family support is the key to helping a child interrupt behaviors that can lead to an eating disorder," Dr. Hagman said. "Address your concerns with your child's physician, as he or she may not otherwise look for an eating disorder."

For more information visit our Eating Disorder Program. It is also important to get the facts about eating disorders.