How to promote body positivity in children

One of the main aspects of loving ourselves starts with accepting our bodies and feeling body positive. However, this is easier said than done. Most of the times if you catch yourself talking to yourself about your body, listen in how we do not like X or Y things about our body.

Wish I had straight hair rather than curly ones
Wish I had thinner thighs
Wish I had longer fingers
Wish I was taller

However, as parents we need to first feel body positive if we want to see our children feeling confident and happy with themselves.

Here are five ways we can promote body positivity in children:

Be a body positive role model for them – Avoid discussions about how you would like to loose that extra body weight or showing guilt after having eaten certain foods or regret after having missed your workouts. Talk about your body with respect and appreciation for what it can help you do. It is also important to assure them that it is okay to have feminine or masculine traits
 

Promote Health Before Weight – Body Positivity and a positive body image should me more about health and wellness and not weight. "There is no one size, shape, or BMI that equals beautiful," says Heath. Refrain from commenting on a particular part of their bodies in an unhealthy or disrespectful manner.
 

Change how you talk about food - “Help your child nurture a body-guidance system and avoid phrases and behaviors that might override it, such as ‘make sure you clear your plate,’” says  BANT registered nutritionist and disordered & emotional eating specialist. Try to avoid using sweets as a bribe to eat vegetables. “Instead, try using words of praise about their choices or special time together as rewards,” says Kristin Wilson, MA, a licensed professional counselor, certified clinical trauma professional, and chief experience officer at Newport Healthcare
 

Encourage kids to be active – Children should be encouraged to find activities that they like from a young age itself. Try not to refer to exercise as a way to shed pounds. "Kids who are made to exercise to lose weight will not only learn to despise exercise, but they will learn to hate their bodies as well," cautions Heath. And avoid weight teasing in any form, which research shows can lead to weight gain, binge eating, and extreme weight control measures.
 
Improve how your kids see themselves by being mindful with how you treat your own self-image. Make compliments about what your children do, rather than how they look. Be kind to yourself. Promote self-care, encourage exercise, avoid harmful language, eat well and be proud of who you are, and your kids will do the same.