What is Body Image?
Body Image is our personal view and interpretation of our body, including mental,
emotional, historical and physical components. It is a picture of the body seen
through the mind's eye.
What causes poor Body Image?
Our culture seems to be obsessed with physical appearance – particularly with
body shape and size. This obsession, combined with pre-teens' and teens' maturing
bodies and social desire to fit in can lead to an unhealthy body image. The images
in mass media that fill magazines, newspapers, and television present teens with
narrowly defined standards of attractiveness and an ideal that is often unrealistic.
Physical appearance actually has little to do with body image – self-esteem
is probably the biggest factor influencing our perceptions of our body and our body
image. As a parent, you can significantly influence how good your teen feels about
his or her body.
Teen nutrition
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Educating teens about nutrition will empower them to make positive changes on their
own. Avoid labeling foods as "good" or "bad". Teaching moderation and balance in
food choices across food groups promotes lifelong healthy eating patterns.
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Good nutrition, along with exercise, relieves stress and makes teens healthier and
happier.
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If your teen has a weight problem, encourage him or her to choose lower fat choices
from the food groups and to exercise regularly.
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Have dinner together as a family. This helps create a safe and nurturing environment
for your teen, and it is often more nutritious and less caloric than eating out.
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