From Comparison to Confidence: Helping Your Teen Navigate Body Image in a Social Media World
- Margaret Brown
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Self-esteem is a critical component of mental wellness. As adults, most of us can remember what it felt like to go through adolescence and experience a dip in self-esteem[1] as our bodies began to change. As children, we could do anything. In adolescence, as puberty hit, we began to compare ourselves to others, worry about how our peers saw us, and much more. If you have a teen, this is the time to dig deep and remember what it felt like to go through this so you can be a safe sounding board for your teen as they navigate adolescence. This support is critical, as it can help prevent disordered thinking about body image while it builds resilience that will serve them well throughout their lives. Here are a few articles that include ways to support your teen as their body changes and they experience new feelings and emotions.
Navigating Teen Body Image: A Practical Guide for Parents to Support Healthy Self-Perception
Teenagers are particularly vulnerable to body image issues due to hormonal changes and peer pressure. Unlike their parents’ teenage years, today’s youth are constantly bombarded with images on social media of what they “should” look like, which can lead to unrealistic expectations and negative self-talk. However, much of what teens see on social media is filtered, altered, or includes unhealthy practices that reinforce stereotypes that all teens should look a certain way or be a certain size. Parents can help by providing a safe space for open conversation where teens can share thoughts and feelings about their bodies without fear of criticism. Another way is by emphasizing the importance of a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and getting enough sleep rather than focusing on appearance. Importantly, parents should demonstrate self-acceptance and avoid negative comments about their appearance as role models for their children.
Read the details here.
“Unlike their parents’ teenage years, today’s youth are constantly bombarded with images on social media of what they “should” look like, which can lead to unrealistic expectations and negative self-talk.”
Eating Disorders in Teen Boys and Girls
Most of us associate eating disorders with girls and women rather than boys or men, but up to 10 million men and boys in the United States will struggle with an eating disorder in their lifetime. Males account for 40 percent of all binge eating disorder diagnoses, so it is just as important to recognize warning signs of eating disorders in both males and females. Regardless of sex, disordered eating spirals quickly into an unhealthy relationship with food and/or exercise that becomes life-disrupting.
A few symptoms parents can watch for in teen girls vs. teen boys include:
Eating Disorder Signs and Symptoms in Teen Girls
Caloric restriction
Excessive exercise
An obsession with being thin or having an ideal body image
An idealized perspective of others’ lives or bodies
Skipping meals
Eating a very narrow selection of foods thought to be low-calorie, low-sugar, or low-fat
Eating Disorder Signs and Symptoms in Teen Boys
Heavy or exclusive consumption of protein or protein supplements
Spending much of the day at the gym (overexercising)
Feeling guilty if they’re not at the gym
Obsession with weight or checking weight multiple times a day
Preoccupation with food and body image
Refusal to eat out with family or friends because food doesn’t meet their calorie or protein criteria
Steroid use
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Being open and accepting of your teen and their struggles is not only an essential part of parenting, but it can also be the doorway to helping them navigate social media and the body image pressures it can bring. In the noise of everything they see and hear daily, you can be the calm, trusted voice they turn to, nurturing their confidence, deepening their connection, and reminding them they’re not alone.
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