MEHMS PTA Meeting Presentation Nov. 12, 2008

1. Helping Adolescents Develop A Positive Body Image Presented By: Vicki Galliher, ATC, VATL, ACSM George Mason High School Sports Medicine Office

2. Body Image … Exactly what is it ?

3. I give up! Got to get PUMPED up! A girl can never be too thin ! Gonna dance till I don’t jiggle like jello! I’ve got the LOOK !

4. Students in middle school, in the midst of puberty, begin to establish an individual identity outside the family unit.

5. The increasing attention & intimacy of peers amplify physical differences that become evident as bodies change and develop. Physical appearance becomes a major factor in peer & opposite sex relations

6. Physical Development + Body Image = Development of Identity for our adolescents

7. As adults, how can we help promote the development of a positive & healthy body image?

8. We need to be aware of risk factors & protective factors

11. Body dissatisfaction is the single strongest predictor of eating disorder symptomology for adolescents

12. Body image is not based on fact. It’s psychological in nature, and much more influenced by self-esteem than by actual physical attractiveness as judged by others.

13. Body image is not inborn … Body image is LEARNED

14. Body Image Questionnaire How well do you measure up ?? Let’s find out …

16. 4. I weigh myself at least once a day. 5. I know or want to know how many calories are in the foods I eat. 6. I workout mainly to lose weight or to look better. 7. I completely exclude foods from one or more food groups to manage my weight.

17. 8 . I don’t participate in sports or other activities because I’m embarrassed about my body. 9. I like to wear oversized clothes to hide “flaws” in my appearance. 10. When I see a model in a magazine or on TV, I want to look like him or her.

18. How Did You Do?

19. If you answered “ YES” to … 3 or more questions … you may have a negative body image

20. From where does our learning of negative body image come?

21. The Big 3 Parents Peers The Media

22. The Media

27. We’ve just seen the myths, now let’s see the facts!

28. The AVERAGE American female is 5’ 4” tall and weighs 140 lbs The AVERAGE American model is 5’ 11” and weighs 117 lbs

29. The men & women on magazine covers represent about 0.03% of the population

32. The #1 wish for girls ages 11-17 is to be thinner

33. The Diet Industry is a $40 Billion per year business in the United States

34. Cosmetic Surgery is the fastest growing medical specialty in the United States

35. About 1 million American males have tried steroids at least once to improve their physique. Up to 6% have taken them by the age of 18 years

36. Parents

37. Our kids pay more more attention to us than we think!

38. “ On a diet, you can’t eat” Response of a 5 year old in a study on girls’ ideas about dieting

39. Many things parents do can trigger concerns about weight or appearance for their children

40. Having parents concerned about their own weight or appearance

41. Having parents who are overly concerned about their kids’ looks and weight

42. Having parents who are obsessive about exercise

43. Having parents who push their kids to exercise or participate on sports teams even if the kids don’t have an interest in doing so or don’t enjoy it

44. Having parents who focus on “ outer” qualities rather than “ inner” qualities

45. Peers

47. Where does a negative body image take us?

48. Dying to fit in … Dying to be thin …

49. Body obsession can lead to extreme dieting and exercise

50. Over one person’s lifetime at least 50,000 individuals will DIE as a result of an eating disorder

51. How do we help our kids make peace with their bodies and their body image?

56. Finally ... We can’t exchange our bodies for new ones. So the best thing is to find peace with the one you have. Your body is where you’re going to be living for the rest of your life!

57. If you would like to know more, email me at … [email_address] for a list of resources and websites

58. Thank You