I read that 80% of all girls dislike their bodies. How very sad. Yet girls are not alone in the body-image struggle. Women also struggle.

We are bombarded with images from the advertising media and social media about how we should look (i.e. perfect, 6-pack abs, wrinkle free, thigh gap — and much more). Females get screwed-up messages about their bodies.

Parents who talk to their daughters about diets, health, body image, and media messages will be doing prevention work for future issues. The earlier you start this conversation the better. Middle school is a time when peer pressure to “look good” hits hard.

Girls often see themselves through other’s eyes, not their own. They’re worried about:

– Being judged
– Being compared to airbrushed images
– Being ugly or less than
– Being unlovable

Important messages for girls to hear:

– You are not your body
– Find your own standard of beauty
– You are beautiful (even when you do not feel beautiful)
– Beauty will shine through in smiles, kindness and courage

I started dieting in high school. In college I gained about 20 lbs in my freshman year. I didn’t like my body and there wasn’t even social media back then. It wasn’t until years later when I discovered “healthy eating” that my body image improved.

It’s a journey. Help your daughter get there before you did.

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Licensed counselor and founder of Girls Stand Strong Michelle Kelley, LCSW, helps girls and women of all ages develop and improve their self-image, self-esteem, relationship and communication skills, emotional understanding, coping skills, the ability to handle difficult situations and people, and resiliency to create a brighter, better and more successful tomorrow. For more information about Michelle’s coaching and counseling services, call (703) 505-2413 or email michelle@girlsstandstrong.com.