Comments on: Girls’ Body Image http://momgrind.com/2010/03/30/girls-body-image/ Sat, 05 May 2012 12:03:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Christina Hendricks Hourglass Figure | Blogger For Hire http://momgrind.com/2010/03/30/girls-body-image/#comment-21643 Christina Hendricks Hourglass Figure | Blogger For Hire Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:02:57 +0000 http://momgrind.com/?p=4129#comment-21643 [...] And doesn’t this go back to the issue of extremes that I’ve discussed in the past – so we either have size zero, or Hendrick’s size 14, as coveted figures – but all the average, healthy, in-between sizes are completely ignored by the media. What does that do to women’s and girls’ body image? [...] [...] And doesn’t this go back to the issue of extremes that I’ve discussed in the past – so we either have size zero, or Hendrick’s size 14, as coveted figures – but all the average, healthy, in-between sizes are completely ignored by the media. What does that do to women’s and girls’ body image? [...]

]]> By: Michelle http://momgrind.com/2010/03/30/girls-body-image/#comment-20584 Michelle Mon, 19 Apr 2010 02:49:04 +0000 http://momgrind.com/?p=4129#comment-20584 We should think about all the positive things about ourselves and the people who loves. And most of all do not think about ugly stuff that can lower our self esteem. Remember that we should think about ourselves first. We should think about all the positive things about ourselves and the people who loves. And most of all do not think about ugly stuff that can lower our self esteem. Remember that we should think about ourselves first.

]]> By: The Pink Lynx http://momgrind.com/2010/03/30/girls-body-image/#comment-20558 The Pink Lynx Thu, 15 Apr 2010 04:40:00 +0000 http://momgrind.com/?p=4129#comment-20558 I agree with your points and the way you are handling the issue with your girls. I just had a conversation today with my 15 year old daughter reiterating the same things you are saying to yours and I have tried to always present it that way. I can tell you so far it seems to have paid off and the right way to handle things, At least from what I can tell at this stage of her life. She does have it going on and together for a girl her age when it comes to interpeting weight in the real world against media focus. She seems to grasp in a positive way image verses substance. Unfortunately, like her mom, she is cursed with not only loving food (and of course the worst kind...pasta and chocolate) but unfortunately has my slow metabolism. Plus she is 5' and I am actually an inch shorter. So it is a double whammie....we can look at food and gain weight. I have struggled withweight my entire life and I was determined not to have her go through the same thing.....yet I have been careful to make it clear it is not because I can't be happy at whatever size I am because happiness comes from within.....it is because I know I am treating my body like a temple and doing the best I can to keep it healthy so it will carry me through a long, healthy life. So, as two fashionistas, It is an added bonus when the clothes we love to shop for feel so good on and naturally it does build the self esteem when they look so good too. And I don't think there's anything wrong with building up our own self esteem with a fabulous looking and fitting outfit. It is fun! I agree with your points and the way you are handling the issue with your girls. I just had a conversation today with my 15 year old daughter reiterating the same things you are saying to yours and I have tried to always present it that way. I can tell you so far it seems to have paid off and the right way to handle things, At least from what I can tell at this stage of her life. She does have it going on and together for a girl her age when it comes to interpeting weight in the real world against media focus. She seems to grasp in a positive way image verses substance.
Unfortunately, like her mom, she is cursed with not only loving food (and of course the worst kind…pasta and chocolate) but unfortunately has my slow metabolism. Plus she is 5′ and I am actually an inch shorter. So it is a double whammie….we can look at food and gain weight. I have struggled withweight my entire life and I was determined not to have her go through the same thing…..yet I have been careful to make it clear it is not because I can’t be happy at whatever size I am because happiness comes from within…..it is because I know I am treating my body like a temple and doing the best I can to keep it healthy so it will carry me through a long, healthy life.
So, as two fashionistas, It is an added bonus when the clothes we love to shop for feel so good on and naturally it does build the self esteem when they look so good too. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with building up our own self esteem with a fabulous looking and fitting outfit. It is fun!

]]> By: Fat Acceptance | Blogger For Hire http://momgrind.com/2010/03/30/girls-body-image/#comment-20516 Fat Acceptance | Blogger For Hire Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:40:35 +0000 http://momgrind.com/?p=4129#comment-20516 [...] – Related Posts: Keeping My Daughters Healthy While Keeping Their Body Image Positive [...] [...] – Related Posts: Keeping My Daughters Healthy While Keeping Their Body Image Positive [...]

]]> By: Kelly@SHE-POWER http://momgrind.com/2010/03/30/girls-body-image/#comment-20512 Kelly@SHE-POWER Fri, 09 Apr 2010 04:45:24 +0000 http://momgrind.com/?p=4129#comment-20512 I think it's also important to consider that weight can be about so much more than food. Many survivors of child abuse have eating disorders, including compulsive over-eating. Depression also affects weight, as does stress and anxiety. When you consider the growing prevalence of mental health issues in today's world, it's not that strange to see a growing proportion of the public overweight or obese. And that's not even getting into the clear correlation between poverty and obesity or the change from a manual working society to one that sits and sits and sits. There are many reasons why people are overweight and yes it is a problem, but it will not be helped by pointing fingers at people and saying why don't they change. I also agree with jannie that our society has become weight obsessed and it sets our children up from a young age (often through observing their parents) to fall into a cycle of self loathing because we are not as thin or as beautiful as magazines and society tells us we should be. It's so damaging. I'm 171cm and at my thinnest and fittest I can't get my bottom half less than a US size 10. I wasted so many years worrying about this and wishing I could just be an 8 and now I look back and feel like it was a total waste of energy. I should have been enjoying my youthful body with its natural curves instead of scowling at it in the mirror and not believing the compliments of those around me. Now I'm a 12 and I'd give anything to go back to that 10! It's just so stupid. I think it’s also important to consider that weight can be about so much more than food. Many survivors of child abuse have eating disorders, including compulsive over-eating. Depression also affects weight, as does stress and anxiety. When you consider the growing prevalence of mental health issues in today’s world, it’s not that strange to see a growing proportion of the public overweight or obese. And that’s not even getting into the clear correlation between poverty and obesity or the change from a manual working society to one that sits and sits and sits. There are many reasons why people are overweight and yes it is a problem, but it will not be helped by pointing fingers at people and saying why don’t they change.

I also agree with jannie that our society has become weight obsessed and it sets our children up from a young age (often through observing their parents) to fall into a cycle of self loathing because we are not as thin or as beautiful as magazines and society tells us we should be. It’s so damaging. I’m 171cm and at my thinnest and fittest I can’t get my bottom half less than a US size 10. I wasted so many years worrying about this and wishing I could just be an 8 and now I look back and feel like it was a total waste of energy. I should have been enjoying my youthful body with its natural curves instead of scowling at it in the mirror and not believing the compliments of those around me. Now I’m a 12 and I’d give anything to go back to that 10! It’s just so stupid.

]]> By: Sagan http://momgrind.com/2010/03/30/girls-body-image/#comment-20460 Sagan Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:52:46 +0000 http://momgrind.com/?p=4129#comment-20460 A controversial topic indeed, but I think you've handled it extremely well. I agree with your sentiments. It's wrong to hate someone for their size. At the same time, it's also dangerous to be too far to any extreme, under or over weight. Our choices in life dictate how we present ourselves to the world, and thus impact how others will perceive us in terms of being a role model. As little kids grow up, they're going to see what the people around them are doing; if others are starving themselves, stuffing themselves, eating unhealthily or eating healthily, children are going to mimic that. We all have a responsibility to uphold to be honest, to be accepting of each other, but at the same time to present a healthy image so that younger generations will grow up with HEALTH in mind, without having any kind of eating disorder (including binge eating). The best thing my mum ever did for me, I think, was to SHOW rather than TELL. We always had chocolate in our house- and we always had apples. Family trips were active with hiking and canoeing; a treat was a new book or getting out of school early on a Friday for a weekend skiing trip. I didn't know what a calorie was until I hit junior high. Food was fuel, and nourishment, and associated with tradition and family- but it wasn't something to be obsessed over. A controversial topic indeed, but I think you’ve handled it extremely well. I agree with your sentiments. It’s wrong to hate someone for their size. At the same time, it’s also dangerous to be too far to any extreme, under or over weight.

Our choices in life dictate how we present ourselves to the world, and thus impact how others will perceive us in terms of being a role model. As little kids grow up, they’re going to see what the people around them are doing; if others are starving themselves, stuffing themselves, eating unhealthily or eating healthily, children are going to mimic that. We all have a responsibility to uphold to be honest, to be accepting of each other, but at the same time to present a healthy image so that younger generations will grow up with HEALTH in mind, without having any kind of eating disorder (including binge eating).

The best thing my mum ever did for me, I think, was to SHOW rather than TELL. We always had chocolate in our house- and we always had apples. Family trips were active with hiking and canoeing; a treat was a new book or getting out of school early on a Friday for a weekend skiing trip. I didn’t know what a calorie was until I hit junior high. Food was fuel, and nourishment, and associated with tradition and family- but it wasn’t something to be obsessed over.

]]> By: MomGrind http://momgrind.com/2010/03/30/girls-body-image/#comment-20421 MomGrind Fri, 02 Apr 2010 03:17:16 +0000 http://momgrind.com/?p=4129#comment-20421 Barbara, I like the clear, simple way Dr. Oz presents info that would otherwise be confusing and overwhelming. janice, "she isn’t scared of food, and will leave food on her plate if she’s had enough or ask for seconds if she hasn’t" - this is just wonderful. What a healthy attitude towards food, including the occasional indulgence! Jannie, I loved your comment and agree with every single word. I wish we could all stop worrying and obsessing, but unfortunately, surrounded with huge portions of junk food on one hand and ads telling us we should be a size zero on the other hand, I don't think we can just allow our bodies to do what they're supposed to do anymore and do believe that talking about portion control and being at a healthy weight are important. When we go to the movies, for example, and they ask if we want to supersize our order, I think it's important to let the kids know why we refuse such a "great" deal. Or when we split desserts at restaurants, choose a small ice cream cone etc. Kids today need to understand that the portions they are offered are not normal - they are too big. My 10 years old daughter has already asked me if she's too fat after having a discussion with her friends on the topic, so doing the right thing at home will not necessarily shield kids from other influences, although the very fact that you don't diet will probably make a huge positive difference in your daughter's own body image. Davina, no doubt money is a big part of this mess - the food industry makes money by making us fat and the diet industry makes money by promising to make us thin. Patricia, high school girls starving themselves to be thin - I have read about it and it's very scary indeed. Which is why it is so important to emphasize health and fitness - a strong, fit body - rather than appearance. Barbara, I like the clear, simple way Dr. Oz presents info that would otherwise be confusing and overwhelming.

janice, “she isn’t scared of food, and will leave food on her plate if she’s had enough or ask for seconds if she hasn’t” – this is just wonderful. What a healthy attitude towards food, including the occasional indulgence!

Jannie, I loved your comment and agree with every single word. I wish we could all stop worrying and obsessing, but unfortunately, surrounded with huge portions of junk food on one hand and ads telling us we should be a size zero on the other hand, I don’t think we can just allow our bodies to do what they’re supposed to do anymore and do believe that talking about portion control and being at a healthy weight are important. When we go to the movies, for example, and they ask if we want to supersize our order, I think it’s important to let the kids know why we refuse such a “great” deal. Or when we split desserts at restaurants, choose a small ice cream cone etc. Kids today need to understand that the portions they are offered are not normal – they are too big.

My 10 years old daughter has already asked me if she’s too fat after having a discussion with her friends on the topic, so doing the right thing at home will not necessarily shield kids from other influences, although the very fact that you don’t diet will probably make a huge positive difference in your daughter’s own body image.

Davina, no doubt money is a big part of this mess – the food industry makes money by making us fat and the diet industry makes money by promising to make us thin.

Patricia, high school girls starving themselves to be thin – I have read about it and it’s very scary indeed. Which is why it is so important to emphasize health and fitness – a strong, fit body – rather than appearance.

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