breasts before her friends do may be uncomfortable with the change. The right bra and clothes may help her feel more comfortable, as well as help a girl who is not developing as fast as her peers. Puberty affects boys in many ways
as well, though you may not think boys focus on their appearance as much as girls do. If a young male feels that he is much shorter than his friends and has no chance of making the basketball team, a sports coach can teach him basketball skills that do not depend on height. Your child’s health care provider will monitor your child’s growth and develop- ment and will alert you if further evalu- ation is needed. If your health care pro- vider feels there are signs of puberty and the rate of your child’s growth is within normal limits, you can reassure your child he is developing normally. Kids are going through changes and stages of puberty at younger ages. Genet- ics plays an important role in the develop- ing body, and may influence puberty development. Children and teens need to realize that they may never be six feet tall if their parents are much shorter. They may also inherit many body traits that they share with family members, which can certainly affect their body image if they find the traits undesirable. The good news is that your children can change some body parts with good health habits, good nutrition choices and physical activity. When they realize that their choices can have a positive effect on their bodies, it can definitely impact their body image.
Appearance and Self-Image As your children age, appearance be- comes very important to them. Today’s role models are celebrities and teen mod- els whom many young children and teens
Ready, Set, Grow
aspire to look like. This is an unrealistic expectation. Social media has reinforced that thinness is how beauty is measured. Photographs are altered and retouched, and a model may look very different in person. As a reality check, it’s important to point out people who are doing great things in the nation or world: They are the true role models. With different views of beauty, what is considered healthy and desirable in one culture may be the opposite in another. If children and teens live in a neighborhood where there are no other kids of their ethnic/cultural background, they need to visit areas where children look like them. Seeing people with similar traits may increase their confidence and make them happier with their appearance. If your teens want a new look that is re- alistic and can be obtained with increased physical activity and the right food choic- es, contact your health care provider for a referral to a nutritionist. When we think of body image, it is usually associated with an overweight child or teen who is uncomfortable once swimsuit season ap- proaches, but we need to pay attention to the very thin child who is uncomfortable as well. At times, our kids may be sending the message that they feel very unhappy with their appearance, and that no one understands them. We need to listen and observe because this is the time when they may resort to unhealthy behaviors to try to fit in. Poor self-image can lead to quick-
weight-loss conditions such as bulimia or anorexia. Kids may be eating full meals with family at home and with their peers at school, or they may be restricting certain amounts or types of food at meals and secretly eating large quantities. Both these behaviors can lead to eating disorders
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