Body image and healthy eating are pivotal for many teenage girls. Unrealistic beauty standards can diminish self-esteem and cause unhealthy habits to flourish, such as restricting calories, excessively working out, binging, or binging to purge later. Self-esteem is central to body image. Teenage girls want to create an identity, be accepted by peers, and fit in. It is a lot of pressure. Having honest conversations about body image and healthy eating can help normalize this experience and show them the support they have. It may feel awkward initially, but opening up this space can give them a lifeline to work through what they are processing and possibly prevent unhealthy habits. Nearly two-thirds of parents report their teen being insecure about at least one aspect of their appearance, which can affect self-esteem.
Social media has created an unhealthy view and expectation as to what is “beautiful,” what is “right or wrong,” and what you “should” look like. There is a constant stream of advice on beauty tips, filters to make you look a certain way, and tips on healthy eating. Many of these are not from trusted sources with proper credentials, such as medical professionals such as physicians and dieticians, whom we should trust to have this information. Unrealistic beauty standards are everywhere. New recommendations are always advertised and targeted to teenage girls for perfect skin, compression clothing, workouts to get bikini-ready, and supplements for all of the above. As a teenage girl, you are still developing your sense of self. You are constantly being compared to classmates and peers by appearance, academic, and accomplishments. With social media, teenage girls are consuming so much more media than ever before. To read more about social media usage and its impact on body image, please check out this blog.
It can be a sensitive conversation with a teenage girl about healthy eating and body image. You may be worried about what to say and how to say it, fearful of how things may come across, and not wanting to tarnish your relationship with them. When having this conversation, start by listening to them. Are they talking about calories, losing weight, or comparing themselves to others’ bodies? Try to avoid being dismissive rather than leaning in with empathy. “I am sorry you are viewing yourself this way, that is just one part of you, that does not define who you are.” Avoid using language that could be seen as dismissive, judgmental, or punitive. Instead of saying, “Why would you think you are fat?” “You should not be saying things about your body like that.” Encourage them to continue the conversation, which provides an outlet for this expression. When they hide their concern about their body, this may cause these concerns to be more embedded in their identity. Having an outlet to express this allows processing and releases the power of these negative thoughts. When providing this outlet, continue to help them reframe their thoughts.
Find positive role models they can look up to who speak out about this. Many celebrities are taking a stance on unrealistic beauty standards, emphasizing beauty in all body shapes and sizes and focusing on inclusion and self-love. There are so many great role models out there speaking out about inclusive beauty. Bring them up in conversation, share their information with them, look them up together, and add more positive role models they can look up to.
If you are a parent to a teenage girl, think about how you talk about your body as well. Are you saying things like, “Oh no, I’ve gained weight,” “I don’t deserve a piece of chocolate cake,” or “This sweater makes me look fat”. Your self-views and expressions can shape how they view themselves. If you are being hypercritical of yourself, this may be modeled as appropriate self-talk, which could be modeled as to how they should view themselves and look for flaws. It is also applicable to your language about others. Saying things like “Did you see Jennifer really let herself go?” or “She should not be wearing a bikini” increases this negative rhetoric and unrealistic expectations.
When you are concerned about healthy eating and body image, which have become an increased problem, make sure to start by seeking out professional help. Make an appointment with a mental health clinician to explore talk therapy. Concerns with body image could be affected by their self-esteem, how they view themselves, and their self-worth.
There is always a new diet, healthy eating fad, or supplement. Healthy eating is important to nourish our body. When discussing healthy eating, focus on nourishment, especially if there is a concern about under-eating. Cook together and find new recipes that are healthy but not restrictive and yummy. Do not shame them for overeating; allow for healthier options in the home and find alternatives to unhealthier options. Eat healthy together. If there is continued concern about your teenage girl’s food intake, consult their primary care provider, a dietician, or a nutritionist. There is a lot of conflicting information on the internet about what you should or shouldn’t eat or do to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Finding a certified health professional is vital when seeking further healthy eating support, especially if your teen is restricting their diet, binging, or purging.
Body dysmorphic disorder is a mental health disorder where you cannot stop thinking about perceived flaws in your appearance. Some signs would be repeatedly standing in front of a mirror, repeatedly grooming yourself, and seeking reassurance; these behaviors would last for up to multiple hours in a day and could impact your ability to function in your daily life, including causing significant distress or even looking toward cosmetic procedures to fix flaws. It can be consuming and will not just go away; it is important to seek mental health treatment.
It is not just teenage girls who have body image concerns or issues. People of all ages, genders, abilities, and body shapes can have challenges with body image and healthy eating. Continue to lift up body-inclusive rhetoric and be mindful of how you refer to yourself and others’ bodies. All bodies are beautiful and worth space.
