Teach Children Positive Self-Image Through Fitness

Raising a pre-teen or teenage daughter (or son) is not easy and can cause any parent a lot of stress. There`s so much to worry about �` dating, drugs, alcohol, sex, school grades, just to name a few. But one crucial element often gets overlooked until it manifests itself in extreme ways (like through an eating disorder). I`m talking about self-image. It`s extremely important that parents ensure that their children have a positive self-i mage, especially in relation to their body. The key to ensuring strong self-esteem and a positive body image starts with the parent.

If you don`t feel positive about your self-image, then how can you expect your children to? While this is important for both daughters and sons, it is especially critical for raising a healthy daughter. And beginning the lessons when a girl is young is imperative, so don`t wait until it`s too late �` teaching your daughter to feel good about her body needs to start at a very young age.

Eating disorder experts say girls are developing eating disorders as young as 5 and 6 years old. And a recent study indicated that 70% of the sixth-grade girls they surveyed said they began worrying about their weight between ages 9 and 11. Why are so many young girls thinking that they are fat? Many are obsessing about their weight because they have parents who are preoccupied with their own poor body images.

While the statistics are disheartening, the good news is that there`s a lot that can be done to help our children have positive self-images. And, even small changes that parents make can help. Here are few tips to help your children avoid warped and negative body images:

� Establish a ��no diet talk�� rule. When your children are nearby, DON`T talk about dieting or how fat you feel! This is extremely important. Remember, kids are listening all the time (even when you think that they aren`t �` especially then). So, even though asking your spouse or friend ��do I look fat in this?�� may seem innocent, it can have a life-altering effect on your kids when they repeatedly hear it.

� Parents aren`t the only adults that influence their children. Set the ��no diet talk�� rule mentioned above for all adults that are around your children. This means you shouldn`t allow your friends, parents, siblings, nei