Body + Mind is reader-supported. We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through some of the links on our site.
Watching your child become a teenager is a joyful yet concerning experience. One of the challenges they may face is body image issues. With social media showing unrealistic beauty standards and peer pressure at an all-time high, it’s no wonder why many teens feel inadequate. Here’s how to help a teen with body image issues regain confidence.
Around 64% of parents reported that their child feels self-conscious about their appearance, including hair, weight, skin condition, breasts and height, among other things. Some parents also said that their children avoid being in photos or restrict their food because of insecurities.
That being said, the influences are mainly:
The people and opinions surrounding your teen might affect their self-esteem. Some risk factors include a family or school environment that emphasizes appearance, criticism of weight or appearance and exposure to toxic standards about weight and food.
A significant example of an environment that can potentially affect your teen’s self-image is sports. Some sports, such as gymnastics, ballet and running focus on the athlete’s body and physical appearance, which may lead to negative self-esteem among teens.
Social media, the influencer culture and the age of filters can distort your teen’s view of a healthy body. They may compare themselves to people who heavily edit their images and may become dissatisfied with their appearance. Aside from social media, your teen’s friends may reinforce negative attitudes about appearance.
Puberty can trigger negative body image as your teen’s body undergoes growth spurts. Girls develop hips and breasts, whereas boys develop the Adam’s apple — the bump on their throat. Both boy and girl teens also develop hair and their oil glands produce more oil, causing acne. These natural changes may make your child feel self-conscious about their appearance.
Research shows that children as young as three can acquire body image issues. Pay attention to the following symptoms:
When your teen feels negatively about their appearance, it can trigger mental health issues, including:
Two of the most common effects are body dysmorphia and eating disorders. Body dysmorphia is a mental health issue that’s rooted in negative thoughts about one’s appearance. People with this concern may feel ashamed that their social life and physical health suffer.
On the other hand, negative body image can trigger eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia. According to a study in China, 50% of Anorexic patients had a fear of gaining weight. Refusing to eat is not the only sign of anorexia. Teens may also overexercise in the quest of having a thinner figure.
Bulimia happens when a person has regular periods of overeating, and then purges or exercises to compensate for their binges. People with bulimia usually use laxatives, diuretics or diet pills to maintain a particular image.
Now’s the time to take action. Here’s how you can help your teenager with body image issues.
Be a good listener. Avoid invalidating their feelings as they share their frustrations. Be patient and acknowledge that their feelings are important. Even if you think it’s not a big deal, the fact that they opened up about it means it’s bothering them.
Your child watches your lifestyle, attitudes and eating habits. Pay attention to how you talk about yourself in the mirror, how you view yourself and what you feed your mind. You can’t teach your teenager to love their body if their parent is struggling with it.
However, if you’re still working on self-acceptance, you can start an exercise program or eat healthier with your teen instead. Practice healthy habits together and feel better about yourselves.
So much of what people see online is edited, but it still sets such heavy pressure and expectations on teenagers. Help your teen learn to be suspicious about what they see on Instagram, TikTok and other social media platforms they use. Explain that most people use photo editing tools or have access to cosmetic surgeries and personal trainers that fuel unhealthy beauty ideals.
You can also regulate their phone usage and encourage off-screen habits. Around 61% of Americans stare at their screens for five or more hours daily. Introduce new activities, such as hiking or crocheting.
Shower your teen with praise that’s unrelated to their insecurities or appearance. Here are some ways to show them praise and help your teenager deal with body image issues:
Boys are also susceptible to body issues. Many feel pressured to be strong, tall and have a deep voice. Some also think that showing emotions is a sign of weakness. Talk to your teenage boy if they have body concerns and assess how you can offer help.
Sometimes, treating body image issues may require proper intervention. If you’ve tried all the abovementioned strategies and nothing is working, consider seeking professional help.
Self-acceptance is a journey. Remember not to rush your teen into making them feel better for themselves. With patience and understanding, you can make your teenager look and feel confident about themselves again.
Your email address will only be used to send you our newsletter, and at any time you may unsubscribe. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.
