Body issues have plagued teenagers throughout the ages. But with the rise of social media, influencers and cyberbullying, today’s teens have a lot more to deal with. They are not just comparing themselves with models in magazines, they are comparing themselves with everyone they follow online. Add negative comments into the mix and maintaining a healthy body image becomes increasingly difficult.
Teen body image goes beyond how adolescents perceive their bodies. It includes their feelings about their body and how they take care of it, and is an essential part of adolescent development. It is closely related to self-esteem.
Causes of poor body image
‘An important challenge faced by teenagers is internal versus external locus of control,’ says Linda Swanepoel, therapeutic manager and occupational therapist at Akeso Montrose Manor. ‘This means the extent to which a person believes they have the power over events in their lives. A person with an internal locus of control believes they can influence events and their outcomes, while someone with an external locus of control blames outside forces for everything and seeks external approval and validation to feel good about themselves.’
Children who are happy and confident are more likely to develop an internal locus of control. Instability, chaos and a lack of safety in the home may lead to external locus of control. This amplifies when the child becomes a teenager.
Teenagers experience increased school and societal pressures at a time when significant changes are taking place in their bodies. Thus, if they have not learnt to believe in their own resources to cope with life, their focus will be on what other people expect or think of them.
Body image and weight risk factors
Body image is often linked to weight. Maintaining a weight lower than your natural set point, or trying to lose weight, immediately activates ‘all or nothing’ thinking. It takes motivation, discipline and determination. Teens develop strict rules to achieve and are rewarded externally through compliments.
‘If you break a rule you’ve set for yourself, you feel weak and like a failure, and believe you are a greedy person,’ says Swanepoel. ‘Greed, indulgence and selfishness are bad words in Western society, and can lead to guilt. Once the rules are broken, at-risk teens tend to go off the rails and binge on forbidden foods.’
Look out for these warning signs
– Fluctuating weight – often from bulimia – is the most common symptom of an eating disorder among teenagers
– Increased exercise and keeping busy all the time, as fear of boredom may lead to binge urges
– Avoiding social situations, as they have too many secrets to keep and need to stay in control
– Rigid thinking and ‘all or nothing’ thinking – judgmental, critical and catastrophising
– Isolation
– Spending many hours on social media
– Spending time preparing food and baking for others, but not eating themselves
– Making excuses at mealtimes
– Many demands at restaurants – food rules become important (I’m gluten-/lactose-intolerant, I’m a vegetarian/vegan. I’m Banting. No carbs, no sauce and no salad dressing)
– Becoming angry and defensive when help is offered
– Wearing baggy clothes, usually in neutral colours – black, white, grey
– Spending time with people who are not matched to the teenager’s personality
– Depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms
How can you help?
The best way you can help is by creating a healthy, happy environment in your home. Monitor your child’s behaviour and ensure they develop that internal locus of control.
Children need to feel safe so that they can focus on themselves rather than feeling responsible for others. Swanepoel offers the following tips for parents and caregivers for creating a positive environment:
– Develop a healthy relationship with food and avoid labelling good or bad food in the home.
– Don’t talk about your own weight issues. Be a good example (even if you don’t feel like being one).
– Eat meals as a family – home-cooked if possible.
– Encourage outdoor living and exercise – it’s not about winning but about enjoying.
– Teach respect for and appreciation of your body. If you treat it well, it will reward you.
– Avoid judgment – rather be curious as to why your child behaves in a certain way. Listen with an open mind before giving advice.
– Teach children to listen to their inner voice.
– Be aware of making your child fearful of negative emotions. Encourage a comfortable relationship with all emotions – anger and sadness are healthy, if they are managed properly.
Create firm boundaries. Teenagers are not ready for independence, even if they think they are. By making your child responsible for the consequences of their behaviour, they learn to believe in their own internal resources.
PHOTO: Pexels
