Body image: Teach your children well

Help your young teen foster a positive body image that promotes confidence and self-esteem with these handy tips.

Early adolescence is often a time when young people begin to make important decisions about themselves. As their bodies change in shape, size and appearance, many teens experience a period of negative body image that leads to self-doubt and insecurity. As a parent, there are many steps you can take to help your kids through the trying teens. The registered dietitians at Kellogg Canada Inc. offer the following tips.

• Be aware of the messages you send about your own body and the comments you make about other people's bodies.

• Find fun ways to be physically active with your kids. Take up skiing, cycling or bowling, join a YMCA or Jewish Community Centre or go camping or hiking.

• Try to eat at least one meal a day together.

• Set a good example by chucking those scales -- don't let weight be the measure of anyone's self-esteem.

• Encourage your children to start their day with a healthy breakfast.

• Help your kids focus on their abilities rather than on their appearances by identifying the things they like about themselves and the things they are good at.

• If you teach your children to celebrate other people's differences and their own talents, they'll learn to be more comfortable with their own uniqueness.