Body-conscious Tots
Are selfie-obsessed parents passing on the wrong message?
Life is tough for a toddler. They’ve just learned to walk, they’re getting the hang of talking, finishing up potty training...
And it seems to be getting even tougher.
Because these days, tots fresh out of nappies are worrying about their weight.
Food fear
Experts from the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) have found almost a third of nursery and school staff have heard a child label themselves fat.
And one in five children has been seen to reject food, fearing it’ll ‘make them fat’.
Children’s behaviour experts Chris Calland and Nicky Hutchinson blame our looks-obsessed society.
The two mums from Bristol say our kids are the most photographed ever.
And watching their parents taking and altering endless selfies is passing on anxieties and preoccupations with their looks to youngsters.
‘Children are often exposed to the message that changing your appearance or being “beautiful”, “handsome”, “thin” or “muscled” will lead to happiness,’ says Chris.
A shocking poll recently reported that kids as young as 3 are showing signs of being unhappy with their bodies.
Chris says, ‘We see children
Kids as young as 3 are unhappy with their bodies
in reception class talking about going on a diet, stressing about what to wear and even talking about getting a six-pack!’
Confronted by these shocking examples, Chris and Nicky were inspired to act.
They’ve now written Minnie & Max Are OK! a picture book to promote self-esteem in youngsters from nursery age.
Obesity crisis
But is this sending mixed messages? After all, there’s a childhood obesity crisis.
Research shows almost one in 10 children aged
4 to 5 is obese.
So, shouldn’t we be encouraging children to be health-conscious?
Yet Chris and Nicky say if adults put pressure on children to lose weight, they’re actually more likely to experience problems with weight and eating in the long run.
‘This is a ticking time bomb,’ adds Nicky. ‘We can already see it’s having an impact on children.’
The Minnie and Max authors believe it’s vital to start these conversations early on. ‘Developing a healthy body image and learning how to look after our bodies is the answer to developing healthy and confident children,’ say Chris and Nicky.
And isn’t that what we all want?
Help & Support If you’re worried about a child or young person’s wellbeing emotiona l , call charity Youngmin ds’ parents helpline on 0808 802 5544