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Community Corner

How Do You Help Kids Have a Healthy Body Image?

Do you have any suggestions on how to teach children to be more accepting of all shapes and sizes?

I recently settled into an exercise routine that makes me feel good. I feel healthy and strong, and I can see my own biceps and lats! I have even purchased numerous articles of clothing with Spandex in them. Meanwhile, I’ve reached the age when my body just wants to be a bit softer and squishier, in spite of my increased Spandex usage.

My sister, who reached this age a few years ago, just finished a week on the “Special K” diet—she ate a bowl of cereal for breakfast and lunch, then a small salad for dinner. She lost a few pounds, though not as many as my brother-in-law did a while back, when he was on a diet that encouraged unlimited cheese and bacon consumption but no vegetables or fruits.

Our relationships to food and to how we feel about our appearance and our bodies are complex. Of course we want to be healthy, but we want to look good, too. And there are lots of people who go to great lengths—even compromising their health—to look good.

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I have two daughters. They both care a great deal about their appearance. They wear skinny jeans and want those that wrote about. They have feathers in their hair. They watch the Disney channel, where everyone has cool clothes, glamorous make-up, and no squishiness, and some characters eat cheeseburgers and pie every day.

If I’m displeased with my new cushy bits, I am careful not to mention it to my girls. I want them to appreciate and feel good about their bodies. I want them far away from the dangers of eating disorders and childhood obesity. It’s hard, though, when we are surrounded by perfect bodies and crazy diets that seem to work, and when a balanced, healthy approach doesn’t get the results it used to just a few months ago.

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How Do You Help Kids Have a Healthy Body Image?

Thank you to for last week’s article and tips on How to Save Money on Children’s Braces. Among her ideas were to ask your orthodontist about sibling discounts and to split deposits into multiple payments. Some orthodontist offices also offer no-interest financing. Check out the full article , and add your own insights!

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