Nurture positive body image in yourself, your children

Don't ignore body issues. A negative body image can lead to depression, anxiety and sometimes-fatal eating disorders.

The Eating Disorder Foundation, a Denver-based nonprofit, says that 27 percent of girls ages 12 to 18 have significant symptoms of eating disorders. Although less common than in girls and women, boys and men can also have eating disorders, says the EDF (eatingdisorderfoundation.org).

ADVICE FOR KIDS

From the National Eating Disorders Association (nationaleatingdisorders.org):

• Eat when you are hungry; stop when you are full.
• There are no "good" or "bad" foods, so eat different foods including fruits, vegetables, even sweets sometimes.
• Since people who stay active are healthier no matter what they weigh, find a sport or activity that you like, and do it.
• Remind yourself that healthy bodies and happy people come in all sizes.
• Some people believe that fat people are bad, sick, and out of control, while thin people are good, healthy, and in control. This is untrue and unfair.
• Do not tease people about being too fat, too thin, too short or too tall.

ADVICE FOR PARENTS

From Girl Scouts of the USA (girlscouts.org):

• Set the example: Be upbeat in your comments about your or someone else's body. A daughter is more likely to be accepting of her body if her mother is accepting of hers.
• Address the issue: Acknowledge your child's dissatisfaction with her appearance. Help her accept that there may be things she dislikes. Educate her about diversity of size.
• Make it about life, not a diet: Emphasize lifestyle over appearance. Encourage exercise for the joy of it. Teach your child to curb stress by playing an instrument or excelling at a sport. Stock the cabinet with nutritious snacks.
• Stress a well-rounded self: Explain that there is more to a person than how she looks.
• Know the facts: Be a source of accurate information. Let your child know, for instance, that it's normal to gain weight, especially around the hips, during puberty.
• Keep the lines of communication open and nurture your relationship with your child.