Children learn by watching their parents. Even though there are many things competing for our children’s attention and devotion in the end parental influence reigns supreme. Parental influence is the greatest factor in how a child behaves and the choices he comes to make. Sure there are exceptions to every rule and this is not a blame on parents for mislead children. However, parents must heed warning that children are always watching and looking to use for guidance in all things. As such what do parents teach their children about weight and body image?
Children of overweight parents are twice as likely to be overweight even into adulthood. This does put the pressure on an overweight parent if the goal is to maintain healthy weights of the children. However, as an example a parent who is unable to control weight has difficulty raising children who are confident in controlling their weight. An overweight parent also has difficulty teaching a child to be active and maintain good health when the perception of the child is that the parent is neither active nor in good health. While, I am not a weight Nazi and do feel people of all sizes can maintain good health our chidren’s perceptions play key roles.
Do you criticize your weight or how you look in clothing? Are you asking if something makes you look fat? Do you chronically start a diet on Monday only to fail by Monday afternoon? You may not think this is a bad example to your child but it can have negative effects. Your child may not see maintaining good health is important. Your child may also think that only skinny people are beautiful or successful. Being overweight comes with health issues as well as emotional issues. You will pass along both to your children by how you handle your own body image and weight. You can be a great example as someone who finds the road to good health and successfully loses weight. Just be careful as how you treat yourself does matter in how your child perceives herself. You do not need to verbally tell your child she is fat or looks fat for her to feel fat.
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