When your child looks in the mirror, are they comfortable with what they see?

 The answer can impact their mental and physical health and lifestyle, including how active they are and their risk for an eating disorder. Nearly half—an estimated 45%—of children and teens have body image issues, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Research has proven that the years between 6 and teenage – middle childhood and early adolescence – are a time of important developmental advances that establish children's sense of identity. Research also highlights that as children grow older, they become more self-aware and are more likely to compare themselves to their peers, a trend that is observable in our daily lives. During these years, children make strides toward adulthood by becoming competent, independent, self-aware, and involved in the world. Biological and cognitive changes transform children's bodies and MINDS. Social relationships and roles change dramatically as children enter school, join programs, and become involved with peers and adults outside their families. In early adolescence, the physical and social changes that accompany puberty, the desire for autonomy and distance from the family, and the transition from elementary school to middle school or junior high can all cause problems for young people. When adolescents are in settings (in school, at home, online, or in community programs) they often lose confidence in themselves and slip into negative behavior patterns. Poor body image prevents young people from engaging in healthy behaviours, with some studies finding that children with poorer body image are less likely to take part in physical activity and survey data from Be Real finding that 36% of girls and 24% of boys report avoiding taking part in activities like physical education due to worries about their appearance. Among adolescents, research has found that those with greater body appreciation are less likely to diet or use alcohol or cigarettes.

This article will examine the detrimental effects of body dissatisfaction, highlighting statistics regarding low self-esteem. It delves into the various factors contributing to this issue and proposes a call to action to address it effectively, advocating for strategies to promote positive body image and self-acceptance.