POSITIVE BODY IMAGE FOR TEENAGERS

Being a teenager is challenging. Parenting a teenager is just as tough. Finding the right balance between guidance and support is crucial to success and relies on open and honest communication. They have so much to deal with on their transition to maturity and it has become more complex with our digital world and social media.

One of the toughest aspects of those teenage years is dealing with the physical, emotional and hormonal changes going on in the body. It is a tough and confusing time when teenagers are grappling with these issues and learning to accept their own individual development can cause anxiety and confusion for many.

The truth is, everyone is on their own timeline and no two teenagers develop at the same rate, even siblings. For optimal physical and mental health, it is important to understand this concept and try to avoid comparisons, instead focus on being fit, healthy and strong. To get this mix right it is essential to listen to your own body and find the balance, regardless of age and size.

One of the biggest hurdles for boys is the desire to accelerate their muscle growth with weights and supplements, believing that big muscles are the masculine ideal. We also see this issue in junior athletes that want to accelerate their sporting performance by fast tracking their ‘size’. Unfortunately, these body image desires have hidden pitfalls which can lead to illness, injury and anxiety in our young men. Despite our increased awareness of body image issues, as a society we have made little progress in terms of perceptions versus reality. We have become more obsessed with ‘celebrity’ and ‘perfection’ rather than health and happiness. Too many young women are still driven by what they see in the media with looks and size dominating the landscape. Things have to change.

To thrive in the teenage years, focus on what we know to be true. The growth and development of our bodies during adolescence will impact our long-term health. Crucial aspects of cognitive development, skeletal and muscular balance and emotional resilience all take place during this time. When we look at altered eating and exercise patterns in this age group, both extremes result in long term damage. Those with low levels of activity and poor nutrition choices, expose their bodies to early disease risk, such as diabetes, and physical problems of excess joint stress and damage. On the flipside using unsafe exercise and nutrition practices to achieve the ‘skinny and beautiful’ or

‘muscular/masculine’ ideals increases risk of disease, compromised bone density and poor mental health.

Here are top four factors for good health and find your balance.

1. Exercise and activity should be a part of every day. Find something that you enjoy, either by yourself or with family and friends. Exercise can be an excellent social opportunity, or it can be something that you do to help you

relax and enjoy time on your own. The most important thing is to make it a priority in your life. 2. Nutrition and food choices can make or break your health. Getting the right balance of nutrients is essential to support growth and development. Appetite changes are common in this age group, but it is important to develop a healthy attitude to food, think of food as fuel, providing energy to keep our bodies working. 3. Sleep patterns also change for teenagers. Our bodies will want more sleep during times of growth and repair, so ensuring that you get enough sleep is important for managing your physical and mental health. Sleep is incredibly important so if you are struggling with your sleep habits, always ask for help.

4. Mental health management is challenging for our teenagers. Dealing with emotions, understanding our decision-making processes and learning how to relax are all essential factors. Having a regular digital detox is important in this age group, as is open and honest communication with people they can trust. Fear and isolation can be very destructive so ensuring that teenagers feel safe and can openly express their thoughts and opinions is a healthy part of their development.

These four factors are intertwined in a complex environment within our bodies. But when we actively seek to find the right balance for our individual needs, it results in a healthy and happy way of life. Sometimes we need to make regular tweaks to accommodate changes in our life. Focus on keeping balance. When you understand your own body needs, you are rewarded with good health and happiness.

Jane Kilkenny has over 25 years’ experience in health and fitness. She specialises in exercise for kids and teenagers having trained at the Children’s Hospital Institute of Sports Medicine (CHISM) Westmead NSW in 2004. She is also a High-Performance specialist and a Level 4 IAAF athletics coach. Jane can be contacted via her website. DISCLAIMER