Pre-Teen Body Image and Self-Esteem

The Quest For The Ideal Body Often Leads To Poor Self-Esteem Amongst Pre-Teens

At one time, it was rare for body image issues to affect children. Today, pre-teen body image concerns are burgeoning. Pre-teen web sites and pre-teen chat rooms dedicated to thinspiration, anorexia, and bulimia are frequent landing places for our pre-teen children, and have a great affect on their body image and self-esteem.

While pre-teen body image related disorders typically have multiple causes, cultural factors appear to be among the leading causes of pre-teen body image concerns. The media projects a pre-teen body image of beauty that is not the norm. And when pre-teen children attempt to attain the unattainable body image, their failures lead to poor self-esteem.

Recognizing Your Pre-Teen Child's Body Image and Self-Esteem Issues

First, it is important to understand what is body image. Body image is the way our pre-teen aged children feel about their bodies and their appearance. It's how they perceive themselves when they look in the mirror; and it's how they feel living in our own pre-teen bodies.

A positive body image is about accepting yourself as you are and feeling good in the bodies we have. It's about embracing our perfection and our imperfections. Pre-teens who have a negative body image dislike just about everything about their looks, regardless of the reality. In these cases, pre-teens see themselves as too fat, ugly, flabby, constantly comparing themselves to others.

Body image greatly affects a pre-teen child's self-esteem. Self-esteem is about valuing yourself, feeling worthwhile, having a sense of identity and self-worth. Pre-teen kids who have a healthy body image and high self-esteem will enjoy life more.

Pre-teen girls are not the only ones who worry about body image. While there is certainly more pressure on girls to look a certain way, boys are feeling that pressure, too about their body image. While pre-teen girls think they should be model thin, pre-teen boys think they should look like athletes.

When The Desire To Change One's Body Image Become A Serious Concern Amongst Pre-Teen Children

Most pre-teen kids have some feature or body type they wish they could change. It's when that dream body image becomes an obsession that the warning signals should be addressed. Other warning signs to watch for revolve around eating disorders. Changes in eating behavior is often a sign that the pre-teen child has body image issues.

Learn More About Pre-Teen Body Image and Self-Esteem Issues

You will find additional information about pre-teen body image and self-esteem on our web site. Visit these FAQs pages, suggested reading lists, and webinars for  more information on body image and self-esteem.