Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Self Esteem and Body Image

Apart of Healthy Weight Week

Fed Up Inc., helping build Self Esteem and a Positive Body Image

"Our mission is to prevent eating disorders by training students to become Junior Ambassadors who then educate peers and younger students about body image, self esteem and healthy living to create a world without diets and body bashing."  
   - Bridget Loves Livingston, founder of Fed Up Inc.


Fed up Inc is a Non-Profit group based in Los Angeles. They go inside “Hollywood” to get a close look at how media images are created.  They work with stylists, makeup artists, photographers, hairstylists, actors, singers, personalities, agents, producers, directors and people behind the scenes who create the art that is Show Business.  The goal is to help educate everyone on how media is created and encourage people to stop comparing themselves to these images.  Most importantly Fed Up is a grassroots campaign encouraging people to be their best individual selves.  
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Body Image and Children

We can help children develop a positive body image and relate to foods in a healthy way. Here are some suggestions from Womenshealth.gov.

1. Make sure your children understand weight gain is a normal part of development, especially during puberty.
2. Avoid negative statements about food, weight and body size. Never tell your children they would be prettier and have more friends if they lost weight.
3. Allow your children to make decisions about food. Make sure plenty of healthy meals and snacks are available.
4. Compliment your children on their efforts, talents, accomplishments and personal values.
5. Encourage schools to enact policies against size and sexual discrimination, harassment, teasing; support the elimination of public weigh-ins and fat measurements.
6. Keep the lines of communication open between you and your children.
7. A parent is a role model, set an example by eating healthy and exercising.

Sarai Walker, the author of Building a Better Body Image states, "Include women of all ethnic and racial groups, age groups, sizes, abilities, and sexual orientations in your circle of friends. When we expose ourselves to the rich and varied experiences of all women, our narrow ideas about beauty and  bodies often change.

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