Prevention Tips For Parents

Do

Examine your own beliefs and behavior related to body image and weight and consider how your children might interpret the messages they get from you.
Encourage healthy eating and exercise.

Allow your child to determine when he/she is full.

Talk about the variety of different body types and the face that they can all be acceptable and healthy.

Discuss the danger of dieting.

Tell your child you love him/her for what is inside, not because of how he/she looks.

Don’t

Label foods as “good” or “bad.”

Use food for rewards or punishments.

Diet or encourage your child to diet.

Comment on weight or body types: yours, your child’s or any one else’s.

Allow teasing or making fun of anyone based on physical characteristics including size.

Provided by The Renfrew Center Foundation, 1-800-RENFREW, www.renfrew.org