Teens and body image: Starting at home

Butterfly: Let's Talk

With so many developmental and even physical changes happening in their lives, teenagers are particularly vulnerable to body image issues. Spurred on by social media, they’re constantly comparing themselves to others.

Having a positive body image can help teens to develop self-esteem, self-confidence, and to develop socially. It can lead to better mental and physical health later in life.

The problem is research shows that, consistently, body image is one of teens’ top three concerns. Also, the number of adolescents reporting body dissatisfaction is increasing, exposing more and more youngsters to long term effects.

Dr Justin Coulson, one of Australia’s top parenting experts says a healthy body image starts at home. “The last thing we should be doing is shaming bodies,” he says. “When a child feels disconnected, shamed and unworthy, they're less likely to take the input of their parents.”

Clinical Psychologist Dr Louise Adams agrees: “Body image is about much more than our bodies,” she says, “It’s actually how we feel about ourselves, based on our physical appearance, and how our physical appearance has been treated in the world.”

In this episode, we look at how the home environment can have a significant influence on a teen’s body image. For example, positive role-modelling and demonstrated kindness toward our bodies and others’ can act as a protective factor to other influences our teens can’t control.

We also hear from Jem and their dad, Richard, and Ashlee and her mom, Christine – Jem and Ashlee have both battled debilitating body image issues, but their families have learned to review body image in ways that are helping to see them through.

To find out more about Justin Coulson’s work go to https://www.justincoulson.com/

To hear more from Louise Adams go to https://untrapped.com.au/

And for more on Butterfly’s Body Kind Families program, visit www.butterfly.org.au/bodykindfamilies

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