Why Body Image Matters for Kids and Teens

For many kids and teens, body image isn’t just about how they look but also about how they feel about themselves. When a child develops a negative perception of their body, it can ripple into other aspects of their mental health, affecting their self-esteem, relationships, and their overall well-being.

There is a not-so-subtle link between body image and self-worth. and it starts to develop early on. Children and teens are constantly absorbing messages about beauty standards from media, friends, family, and even strangers and when they feel they don’t measure up, their self-esteem suffers. They may start believing they’re not “good enough” simply because their body doesn’t match unrealistic expectations that photo editing, filters, and sometimes cosmetic procedures make seem is the norm.

This can cause kids and teens to lose the self-confidence they once had, work hard to try to “fix” perceived flaws with disordered eating, excessive exercising, or trying to hide whatever perceived flaw that they can’t fix. They may also miss out on activities and opportunities (think pool parties, PE, beach trips, etc.) because they don’t want to feel exposed or judged by others. 

Besides the changes in behaviors, the negative thoughts that they start to have about their appearance and about themselves in general can become deeply ingrained and cause a lot of emotional distress. Anxiety, especially in social situations, is often one of the first signs a child or teen is struggling with body image. Over time, persistent feelings of dissatisfaction can lead to feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and depression. When a young person constantly believes their body isn’t “good enough”, they may struggle to see value in themselves beyond their appearance.  

As parents, friends, teachers, coaches, or mentors, we can play a huge role in helping kids and teens build self-acceptance and a positive body image. It's helpful to talk to them about how their body is not their entire identity and help them see their qualities that go beyond their appearance such as their kindness, creativity, humor, and skills. We can help them see the reality of much of the media – altered and filtered images – and help them find more truthful and healthier alternatives. We can model self-acceptance by speaking positively about our own bodies and refrain from making comments about other people’s bodies. And above all we can create a safe space for conversation, allowing them to express their thoughts and feelings about body image without fear of being judged or dismissed.

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Barbara Johns, LPC Associate

I believe that in order to heal, people need to have a safe space where they can explore what is contributing to their problems and how they can use their difficulties as fuel for personal growth in order to turn things around and live life the way they really want to. My goal is to provide you with that safe and supportive environment as well as with new tools and skills that you can take with you on your journey toward healing and growth.