Child Weight Mania
Child Weight Mania My daughter, Jordan, came home from school last week and exclaimed with tears welling up in her eyes, “I am going on a diet, I am fat and I am overweight! ... Here was my seven year old, yes, I did say my seven year old, child coming home from a day at school declaring the need to go on a diet. ... This unforeseen incident has made me realize that society and the media has created a culture in which girls, even as young as seven years old, can become obsessed with their weight. ... Entertainment News shows are frequently talking about the “stars” that have gained weight or even lost weight. ... Commercials are filled with products that will help a person with their weight loss. The public is constantly told they are over-weight. ... ” In some cases a mother might jokingly tell her child they will get a “Buddha belly” if she puts butter on her bread, not realizing this comment even though meant to be funny, can send a harmful message to a child. Adults are unwittingly making these remarks that can contribute to a child’s negative view of their own bodies. ... Adults need to become aware of their own body image concerns and attitudes that may stimulate a child’s distortion and misconception of their own appearance. Adults should not complain about their own weight in the presence of a child. Furthermore, when a parent hears a child make a negative remark about her shape or size, they should not dismiss it; rather, initiate a discussion about how and why the child thinks she could look better.