Supporting Healthy Body Image in Children and Teens
Maybe it started with an offhand comment ("I look so fat in this") tossed out before school, or a sudden refusal to wear last year's favorite shorts. Or, maybe your child hasn’t said anything out loud, but you worry how their changing body might be weighing on their mind.
However it's shown up, if you're noticing your child reacting to their body differently, you're not imagining it, and you're not alone. Adolescence brings significant physical changes, and with them, a new awareness of how their body looks and compares to others.
The good news is that how you respond in these moments can shape whether your child learns to see their body as a problem to fix, or simply as the body they get to live their life in. As a Registered Dietitian specializing in Eating Disorders in children, I’ve seen the potentially detrimental impact of this negative self-perception and am invested in helping parents navigate these situations in a way that keeps them from escalating. Here's where to start.
Limit Body‑Focused Conversations and Avoid Negative Self‑Talk
Kids and teens learn how to relate to their bodies by watching how the adults around them talk about theirs. Even small comments about a child’s body or a parent’s own appearance can be interpreted as a sign that something is “wrong” or needs fixing. Many young people hear throughout their lives that they resemble one or both parents, so when a parent speaks critically about their own body, a child may internalize that criticism as something about themselves too.
Reducing body‑focused remarks and avoiding negative self‑talk helps create a safer environment for kids to develop a more neutral, compassionate relationship with their bodies.
When adults model acceptance and avoid appearance‑based judgments, children are less likely to view their bodies as problems to solve and more likely to feel grounded in who they are.
Take a Neutral, Supportive Approach When Bodies Come Up
Even when families try to avoid body comments, kids still encounter them whether at school, with friends, online, or in public. When your child or teen makes a comment about their stomach, legs, arms, or even someone else’s body, you can gently shift the conversation toward function rather than appearance.
Strong legs help us walk, run, and play. Stomachs naturally change size throughout the day to make room for food and digestion. Bodies grow, change, and need new clothing as kids move through different seasons of development. Offering calm, factual reminders helps normalize these changes and reduces the pressure to evaluate bodies as “good” or “bad.”
Avoid Conversations About Calories, Dieting, or “Earning” Food
Everyone deserves consistent nourishment regardless of their size, activity level, or eating patterns. Talking about calories, “working off” food, dieting, or personal weight goals can unintentionally teach children that food must be justified or that their body needs to be controlled.
Labeling foods as “good” or “bad,” focusing heavily on weight, or discussing food as something that must be earned can contribute to shame, anxiety, and harmful behaviors such as restriction, calorie counting, or compulsive exercise. Keeping food conversations neutral and supportive by focusing more on how different foods can help their body function, rather than how they affect appearance or weight helps kids build a healthier, more trusting relationship with eating.
Neutral ways to talk about food might include:
“This chicken and rice gives your body long‑lasting energy.”
“Fruit helps your body stay hydrated and gives you quick fuel for playing.”
“Adding some chips or a cookie can make lunch feel more complete by pairing savory with sweet.”
“Let’s include something crunchy or warm so the meal feels satisfying.”
“Foods with protein or fat help us stay full longer.”
“Carbs give us quick energy, and pairing them with something more filling helps us stay energized.”
“Our bodies like a mix of foods, some that help us feel full, some that give quick energy, and some that make meals more enjoyable.”
This kind of language helps kids understand that all foods have a role. Some nourish, some satisfy, some offer comfort, and many serve multiple purposes. When food is talked about without judgment, kids are more likely to trust their hunger, listen to their bodies, and build a healthier relationship with eating.
Encourage Joyful Movement Instead of Appearance‑Driven Exercise
Movement can support body image when it helps kids feel connected to their bodies by noticing their breath, feeling muscles engage, or experiencing the satisfaction of meeting a challenge. But when movement is framed as a way to lose weight or change appearance, it often increases body dissatisfaction and reinforces the idea that their body is a problem to solve.
The most beneficial movement is the kind a child genuinely enjoys: yoga, walking with a friend, tennis, roller skating, hiking, dancing, or anything that feels fun and accessible. When movement is rooted in joy rather than self‑criticism, kids are more likely to want to engage in physical activity on their own.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Supporting a child through these years doesn't mean having the perfect words every time. It means staying curious, staying calm, and choosing connection over correction whenever body talk comes up.
Small, consistent shifts in how you talk about bodies, food, and movement can make a powerful difference in how your child comes to see themselves. And if you're noticing signs that concern you, whether it's negative self-talk, changes in eating, or questions about your child's nutritional needs as they grow, you don't have to figure it out on your own.
Reach out to our team. We’re here to help you support your child through every stage of development, with compassionate, evidence-based guidance tailored to your family.
Faith Wright, MS, RD, LD is a Registered Dietitian in Crestwood, MO and works virtually with clients across the U.S. She has advanced experience and training in Eating Disorders and Sports Nutrition, and specializes in working with pediatric clients at all levels of care - from hospital in outpatient settings.