Body Image
We have written a webpage about gender identity, child identity, puberty, anorexia nervosa and bulimia elsewhere on this website. Please click the links below.
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR GENDER IDENTITY
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR CHILD IDENTITY
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR PUBERTY
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR ANOREXIA NERVOSA
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR BULIMIA
WHAT IS BODY IMAGE?
Body image is a collection of positive and negative thoughts, perceptions and feelings an individual has regarding the aesthetics and attractiveness of their own physical body. It also encompasses how we believe others see us as well.
WHAT ISSUES WITH BODY IMAGE CAN YOUR CHILD HAVE?
Your child can have many different feelings and thoughts about their physical appearance and body in general. Some could be:
- Feeling generally unattractive and ugly.
- Feeling overweight and flabby
- A child feeling as if their body does not meet what they feel is their true gender.
- A child could feel ashamed of a disfigurement on their body where they are constantly hiding it from others
- A child could feel pre-judged because of a physical feature such as the colour of their skin.
- A child could feel singled out because of a physical disability they have.
- A child could constantly be covering up their body because they feel others will laugh at it.
- A child may be fed up because they cannot find clothes and shoes in their size.
WHAT CAUSES A CHILD TO HAVE A NEGATIVE BODY IMAGE?
There are many things that can cause a child to have a negative body image of themselves. They are:
- Someone calling them names with regards to how they look.
- Being bullied about their looks and body such as being called fat or ugly.
- Someone is constantly putting them down.
- Being compared to someone else who they perceive to be better looking.
- A trauma that has left your child feeling dirty or ugly about themselves.
- A bombardment of images and lifestyles on social media that make your child feel inadequate.
- A child’s views and thoughts on their body does not meet the perceived standard set by social and mainstream media.
- Adverts which promote certain ‘unattainable’ images.
- TV characters that are difficult to emulate.
- Social media, TV and adverts always use one type of look to promote their programmes and products. A lack of representation of other looks and body shapes leaving children to feel these looks and body shapes are not looked on favourably.
- Puberty causes many changes in the body and makes you aware of yours and others bodies. This can cause a child anxiety and to have a poor body image of themselves.
WHAT CAUSES A CHILD TO HAVE A POSITIVE BODY IMAGE?
The following things can encourage positive self image in a child:
- An enjoyable amount of exercise and keeping fit will make your child feel good about themself.
- Being loved and cherished by the most important people in their life.
- Receiving compliments about their looks and body.
- Feeling wanted by those around them.
- Feeling protected by those around them.
- Chanting positive affirmation about their looks and body everyday before bed and in the morning.
- Removing negative people from their life and keeping positive people in their life.
- Having fun, laughing and playing.
WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF A NEGATIVE BODY IMAGE ON A CHILD?
A negative body image can be very damaging and detrimental for a child in many ways. Such as:
- A child may want to not leave home and shut themselves away from the outside world. This may lead to isolation and a child becoming lonely.
- A child may not want to eat because of the fear they are fat. This can lead to eating disorders.
- They may suffer from low self esteem and low self worth.
- A child may start feeling depressed about their body, have suicidal thoughts, suffer from anxiety, feel inadequate and not in control.
WHAT IS BODY DYSMORPHIA?
This is a mental health disorder where an individual spends a lot of time thinking, stressing, worrying about and unhealthily focusing on their body image, the flaws in their body and their appearance. Very often these flaws are not openly noticeable to another person.
The individual can stress and focus on their whole body or a specific part(s) of the body.
Body dysmorphia can affect all aspects of a child’s education and schooling, daily life, social life and relationships.
LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER (BDD)
HOW CAN YOU AS A PARENT HELP YOUR CHILD ACHIEVE A POSITIVE BODY IMAGE?
There is much you can do so that your child can develop a positive body image and love themselves.
- Show your children that you accept all body sizes, body shapes, skin colours and different looks. You can do this by:
- Not making negative comments about people’s looks and body size.
- Not making fun of people’s looks, disabilities and body shapes and sizes.
- Compliment your children on their achievement, attitude and work as well as how they look.
- Talk to your child about what they like about their physical self and their personality and nature. Encourage them to focus on these positive points about themselves.
- Show your child lots of love and affection on a constant basis.
- Provide your child with a happy, warm, lovable and caring daily home.
- Spend a lot of family time together.
- Remind your child how brilliant they are and highlight their good points often.
- Play the ‘thank you’ game with your children. Sit them down in front of the mirror and ask them to thank their nose for helping them smell, their tongue for helping them taste and their eyes for helping them see. You can do this with your child for so many parts of their body. This will teach your child to appreciate their body.
- Sometimes ask your child to write a list of positive things about all aspects of themselves. When they do this you must also do the same and write your list about what you think are the positive things about your child. Compare both lists. This will give you and your child a chance to highlight all the good points about themselves.
WHERE CAN YOU AS A PARENT TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
You can contact your GP – Please make an appointment with your GP. They will offer advice and guidance and refer you for help in your local area.
You can contact NSPCC – If your child has a negative body image or is suffering from body dysmorphia you can contact the NSPCC and speak to them about your concerns.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR NSPCC – CONTACT US
You can contact FAMILY LIVES – Family lives was previously known as parentline. You can speak to them about your concerns that your child has a negative body image or is suffering from body dysmorphia.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR FAMILY LIVES – CONTACT US
You can contact SUPPORTLINE – Supportline can provide confidential emotional support over the phone if your child has a negative body image or is suffering from body dysmorphia. Their helpline number is 01708 765 200. You can also email them.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR SUPPORTLINE – CONTACT US
You can contact your local authority child services – You can call them directly or look on their website to see if there are any local support groups where you can get support.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY
You can contact other organisations –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE TO CONNECT WITH CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS THAT COULD HELP YOU.
WHERE CAN YOUR CHILD TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE
Your child can contact CHILDLINE – If your child has a negative body image or is suffering from body dysmorphia and they need to talk to someone, they can call childline.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR CHILDLINE – CONTACT US
Your child can contact YOUNG MINDS – They can visit the young minds website and read their helpguide and follow their guidance.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR YOUNG MINDS
Your child can contact THE MIX – Your child can contact the mix and speak to them about their concerns about negative body image and body dysmorphia.
Your child can contact YOUTH ACCESS – Your child can contact youth access and speak to them about their concerns about negative body image and body dysmorphia.