HEALTHY FAMILY
The pediatrician can check BMI and devel-
opmental growth curves to determine if
there are any abnormalities, stunted growth,
increased weight gain or other things going
on. Puberty can be an especially tricky time
for self-image, and the pediatrician can help
reassure your child that the changes they are
going through are normal phases. A pediatri-
cian visit can also be a great opportunity for
a non-parent authority figure to chat with
kids and get a feel for whether their percep-
tion of their own appearance is healthy. If it
is not, they can help create a plan to guide
Opportunity and intervention
Sadeh-Sharvit reminds us that it’s abso- your child to a happier, healthier self-image.

lutely natural for kids to notice body
differences and feel inclined to point them Model healthy messages
out. “When kids start to talk about appear- Girls as young as 5 sometimes talk about
ance, it can present opportunity to address dieting or restricting foods, saying that if
health and nutrition, and that is a good they eat sweets they should walk around
thing.” But if the concerns seem driven by the block afterwards, etc. Those ideas are
a child’s self-criticism or the criticism of most likely mirroring what they hear at
others, if a child becomes less social, if hab- home. In examining your child’s views on
its change dramatically or if a parent gets a body image, be prepared to hear that some
gut feeling that self-consciousness is going of what is driving their self-criticism is
too far, it is good to talk about it with your coming from you—from the things you say
child’s pediatrician.

and do, even unintentionally.

or ‘muting’ accounts that make them feel
negatively about their bodies and their rela-
tionships,” Sadeh-Sharvit says. “This is a
huge concern that I wish more parents would
discuss with their kids.”
It comes down to recognizing where the
risks are, communicating and making the most
of the positives. “Let’s not forget that social
media could also be an avenue for activism and
for connecting with people and groups that
support body positivity,” she adds.

“Parents certainly aren’t likely to try to
sabotage a child’s self-esteem, but it’s always
a good idea to take a personal inventory of
the way you model health ideals,” Sadeh-
Sharvit says. “Parents can reinforce positive
health ideals—micronutrients, what it is to
be healthy, diverse food consumption (kids
need carbs), a focus on being strong and
healthy and confident.”
Help kids discover how capable and awe-
some their bodies can be by finding outlets
for activity that suit the child’s individual
interests and personality—whether it is
through organized sports, fitness classes
or just running around and climbing at the
park. Encourage them to realize that their
body is designed to do amazing things
when they make healthy choices to fuel it
thoughtfully and move it regularly. ■
Courtney McGee is a freelance writer,
cancer warrior, runner/triathlete and
compulsive Candy Crusher. She lives in
Towson with her husband and their three
children and high-maintenance rescued
hound dog.

March 15, 2020
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Bender Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington
6125 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD 20852
in the Wasserman Gymnasium
Reserve your booth today!
Contact your Washington Jewish Week sales consultant at
301-230-2222, ext. 4, or advertising@washingtonjewishweek.com
RSVP for a chan
ce to win
125! $
SimchaAnd Celebration
sE Eventbrite.c xpo2020.

om Presented by
To be eligible to win the $125 prize you must RSVP and also register at the event.

WashingtonFAMILY.com 39