Supporting girls to develop a Positive Body Image

We know that the adolescent years can be difficult, particularly for girls. A healthy body image is an important part of a growing girl's self-esteem. Body image is so important as it can affect how girls feel about themselves. For example, if they feel they have issues or concerns with their body image, this can increase the risk of low self-esteem, depression and eating disorders.

So how can we talk to our girls about any concerns they have with their body image? We’re here to help. Firstly, empathise with her and talk about what it feels like to struggle with the emotional and physical changes that naturally occur as they grow. Then steer the conversation toward the positive. Furthermore, many parents know to be careful about the words they use when discussing their own bodies. Where possible, parents should try and avoid using statements which could ‘potentially’ promote negative relationships with their bodies. Instead, we can replace them with comments about how strong their bodies are in an effort to teach young girls body confidence.

Our Bodies are Strong and Powerful

It is imperative that young girls hear body positive messages, which is why sharing stories of girls doing a variety of sports is really important. For example, in the world of rugby, there is a place for girls of every height or size. It doesn’t matter whether you are 5’2 or 5’10, 8st or 11st – there’s a position that will capitalise on those strengths. These kinds of messages are really powerful for girls to hear.

Talking about physical strength and what their bodies can do are great conversations to have with girls. For example, Vicky McCann’s fitness career began at the age of 13, when she got a job tidying the changing rooms of a local gym. She moved into teaching aerobics, then lifting weights. In 1990, she entered her first bodybuilding competition. Since then, she has twice been world champion.

Alice Liveing got into weights while studying musical theatre, after her dance teachers told her she wasn’t strong enough. She says the perception that lifting was not for women only made it more appealing. “I love it when my clients are shocked by their own strength, because we haven’t been allowed to believe we were able to do that until now,” she says. “It’s breaking the taboos of being as strong, if not stronger, than men.” Alice also openly discusses her past, unhealthy relationship with food. After years of comfort eating to deal with her unresolved emotions, Alice became determined to start afresh, and that’s where Instagram page of Clean Eating Alice began. Over 650,000 people now follow Alice’s Instagram page (@aliceliving) as an inspiring role model for body positivity and healthy eating. By partnering with Women’s Aid as one of their ambassadors, Alice now hopes that she might help to spread a message that would have been so vital for her to hear when she was sixteen.

5 Topics to Discuss with Girls on Body Image:

Explaining Puberty - Make sure your daughter understands that weight gain is a normal part of her development, especially during puberty.

Media & TV - Television programs, movies, music videos, websites, magazines can sometimes send messages that only a certain body type is acceptable and that maintaining an attractive appearance is the most important goal. Check out what your daughter is reading or watching and discuss it. Encourage her to question what she sees and hears.

Social Media - Most teens use social networking sites and it is easy for teens to find themselves feeling inferior when they compare themselves to the “highlight reel” of others’ lives as they are presented online. Encourage girls to replace feelings of inferiority with a focus on their strengths and to teach them that others’ successes do not mean they are failing; we all have different areas in which we excel. Talk to girls about their internet use and talk about what she's posting and viewing.

Self-image – Offer reassurance that healthy body shapes vary. Ask her what she likes about herself and explain what you like about her, too. Your acceptance and respect can help her build self-esteem and resilience.

Using Positive Language - Rather than talking about "fat" and "thin," encourage girls to focus on eating a healthy diet and staying physically active. Discourage family and friends from using hurtful nicknames and joking about people who are overweight.

We are Girls in Sport – Our Message

One of the reasons girls and young women are less likely to exercise is because so many of them feel self-conscious and critical about their bodies. But in fact, engaging in sports can be a great way to overcome these insecurities. We can use exercise as an effective way to improve body image and focus on what the body can do, rather than how it looks.

Help us with our campaign to inspire and engage girls and young women in sport. Together, we can support girls to live healthy and happy lives and that’s a powerful message worth sharing.

Looking for Inspiration?

We love the book Strong Is the New Pretty, captured and curated by Kate T. Parker. Featuring girls showing pride in their hobbies, insight into their aspirations, images that inspire, and girls that are confident.

Buy here on Amazon in hardback or paperback.