A Quarter Of 11 To 16-Year-Olds Would Have Cosmetic Surgery To Improve Body Image. So what can YOU do to teach your kids to have a positive attitude?

As a new survey reveals that a quarter of 11 To 16-Year-Olds would have cosmetic surgery to improve their body image, what can YOU do to teach your kids to have a positive and healthy body image and body attitude?

Half of girls and a third of boys are willing to take drastic measures to reach their ideal body shape or weight, a study has found.

The survey of 810 girls and boys aged 11 to 16 found that one in ten boys would take steroids for a more muscular physique, while one in eight girls would be happy to pop diet pills or laxatives to help them to lose weight.

Over 50% of girls and more than a third of boys said they compared their bodies with those of celebrities on TV.

About a quarter of both girls and boys even said they would be willing to undergo cosmetic surgery to achieve their ideal look.

• You are the most influential role model in your child’s life, so lead by example.
• Give your child opportunities to appreciate their body for what it can do, rather than what it looks like.
• If you are at all concerned about your child’s body image, self-esteem or eating behaviours, consult with your doctor or dietitian for information and referral.

• Be a good body image role model yourself in the way that you talk about your own body.
• Get your children into the exercise habit & make it a normal part of their lives.
• Help your child feel confident about themselves.
• Teach them not to compare themselves to others on TV or online.

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