How Parents Have An Impact On Their Child’s Body Image

The development of an eating disorder is like a perfect storm: a result of a culmination of a variety of biological, social, personality, cognitive, and environmental factors.

According to the National Institutes of Health, twin studies have shown that eating disorder symptoms appear to be roughly 46-72% heritable. 

Along with the genetic vulnerability, environments likely to then activate an eating disorder (think nature AND nurture) may include when parents:

• Engage in dieting behaviors (restricting, binge-restrict, binge eating)

• Use unhealthy self-talk about their bodies and appearance (“I am so fat.”)

• Do weight-based teasing (“These jeans fit me, so they should fit you.”)

• Are physically/emotionally/verbally abusive (child may be finding a way to have power and control in their lives)

• Have mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety (which have high co-occurrence rates with eating disorders)

Parents have a direct impact on their child’s relationship with food and body, including the risk of developing an eating disorder. 

Our children are always watching us - how we speak to, look at, and respect ourselves. 

How do you want your children to nourish themselves and feel about their bodies? What is one thing you can do to model what you want for your children? 

Maybe it could be saying something you feel grateful about your body for (“I am grateful for my arms because I can give you big hugs”). 

Or *not* making a comment when you eat a food you may currently think is ‘bad’ (*not* saying you are “so bad” for eating the food, or need to exercise to “work it off”).

It is one step at a time. One day at a time. You are doing brave and beautiful work by breaking these cycles, and creating a better future for your children (and YOU!).