Does your 10-year-old want a perfect body?

From the Community…

• 
  Posted by miss my family Fri Oct 2, 2009 6:28pm PDT

  If I caught my child acting like they were becoming stressed about weight (i.e. weighing themselves a lot, eating less food then they should often) I would get rid of the scale and talk to them whenever they have problems AND make SURE they were eating the correct amount for their body type.

  My sister almost became anorexic but luckily my mother noticed the same week that she started eating less food and kept an eye on her. I've talked to her since she's been an adult and she says mom caught it so fast it was unbelievable. She's so thankful too. She says it weren't for mom knowing us so well that she might not be here today. That's what they really need. A parent who knows them and notices when things aren't right.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Rachel Sun Oct 4, 2009 6:33pm PDT

  Wow!! I had an idea of the perfect body when I was 11, but i was comfortable with myself then. Now I work out a lot, but I don't weigh myself because the number on the scale scares me!!!!! I am uncomfortable with my body, but when i'm with my friends or family i'm not!

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by MadameG Sun Oct 4, 2009 8:40pm PDT

  I think the schools have the right idea, but the problem is that unless the same lessons are being practiced at home, the schools lessons may be for naught. Unfortunately, our society has neglected to appreciate people for being the incredibly unique individuals they are, and has thrust upon us the idea of the "ideal" physical being. Without a stable sense of self (which less and less adults seem to have), and with the insane pace of life and how much money is needed just to live a "comfortable" life - we neglect ourselves and end up overweight and out of shape... and that is the lesson we are teaching our children. It's no wonder they are beginning to adopt the same problems.

  I remember once my daughter was so down because her brother was able to answer all sorts of geography questions. She says to him, in my earshot, "You know everything and I don't know anything." I sat them both down and pointed out their individual strengths. Her having an opportunity to hear how much I appreciated her ability to do math so well, and her artistic abilities, and then my son hearing how I appreciated his ability to retain geographic information and read quickly - they both learned that it wasn't a competition, that they could help one another, and more than anything - I loved them both and didn't see their not knowing as a shortcoming. I've not heard a competition thought from them since.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Rebekah Mon Oct 5, 2009 9:05am PDT

  Jeez, I hate these rude, rude, rude advertisers.

  Anyway, back on subject. I think a school program to teach nutrition, body image, and preventative healthcare is a fantastic idea--but it needs to be more than a 1-time deal. It should be an ongoing program that starts in kindergarten or 1st grade, and gets more complex and inclusive (adding scientific facts, hypothetical meal plans, or even healhty recipes, for example) as the kids grow. That way, by the time a kid hits puberty, he or she has already learned healthy habits that can, hopefully, keep weight problems from becoming an issue in the first place. The on-going nature of the program can help combat negative messages that kids may recieve at home, or from the media.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Mo B Mon Oct 5, 2009 10:24am PDT

  My daughter is 6 and I already talk to her about being happy with her body and having a positive self image. My theory is talk about it now and as she grows and hopefully she will realize that she is fine just the way she is. My dad runs a program that treats a lot of kids with eating disorders, kids as young as 7 and 8 all the way to 18. So I was always very aware of how bad being obessessed with your body and weight can get and want my daughter to grow up happy with her body.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Rebekah Mon Oct 5, 2009 10:46am PDT

  Oh, look, the ads are gone! Good job, admins!

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Renee Mon Oct 5, 2009 10:05pm PDT

  I remember when I was 6 my 1st grade class was calculating what our weight would be on the moon, the girl I was working with ended up weighing less than me and she turned to me and pointed and told me I was the fattest person in the class. I was so heartbroken, I never thought of myself as fat or thin or anything other than a kid. If it wasn't bad enough that this girl had said that to me, she then decided to announce it to the classroom, the teacher did nothing and from then on I had awful body image. I was constantly worried about my weight and size. I think schools do need to emphasize heathy body image and really make teachers understand the effect cruel things like that can have on kids. Parents also need to make sure they talk about body image with their kids and teach them to love themselves, no matter what their flaws are. Not everyone is going to be a perfect size 2 and we need understand that.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Amanda Tue Oct 6, 2009 9:59am PDT

  I sometimes read the yahoo answers forums. In the health, diet and exercise pages, there are often many tweens and teens asking questions about losing weight, needing to lose weight, what is a good weight for them.... when did our youth become so obsessed? Its sick that the media has portrayed this skinny image for so long, that its influencing children and teaching them bad habits. Also, causing body issues at an early age

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Lynn Tue Oct 6, 2009 12:50pm PDT

  My 10 year old daughter is almost 11 and she has been saying my belly is too big all year. She is actually underweight and very petite. The boy she has liked for 3 years told her, "I would like you for a girlfriend if you are prettier." That statement has hurt her to the core. She views herself as ugly now. I mean -she really believes she is. She kept saying ,"my class picture was terrible,, it looks ugly." Well,, I was stunned when she brought it home. The picture was beautiful, not just Mommy thought so. I am lost as to how to make her see herself for the beauty she really is.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by justokay Tue Oct 6, 2009 2:19pm PDT

  My 11 year just said that she feels fat. She is not fat. She is still a growing girl and her height has not caught up to her weight.My son went thru a stage where he was weighing more than he should for his height. Well he grew 4 inches in 1 summer. It's so hard for kids just to be happy.

  Report Abuse