There are few people who escape the negative consequences of the unrealistic body image being perpetuated by the mainstream media. Teens, who experience massive changes to their bodies during the early stages of puberty, not only compare themselves to celebrities, but they also look at their peers for both acceptance and an idea of what’s normal. However, because everyone has different genetics and teens go through puberty at different rates, this comparison is often a recipe for disaster. If your daughter looks at a friend and sees breasts twice as developed or a body much more thin, it could lead to serious teenage issues like anorexia, depression or even drug use.

How Parents Can Help with Teen Body Image

1. Cultivate a Healthy Relationship to Food

It’s your job as a parent to help your teen have a healthy relationship with food. You can do this by having dinner together as a family each night, serving a wide variety of healthy foods and using the time together to have discussions about food and how it relates to body image.

2. Don’t be Afraid to Supervise

It’s important that you know what your teen is doing online, not only to protect from predators, but also because you need to watch for language that is overly self-critical. These days, it’s very common to see teens posting captions like “feeling ugly today” beneath their pictures. They sometimes do it as a way to fish for compliments, and other times they really do feel that bad about themselves. If you notice such language, sit down and talk to your son or daughter about body positivity. The words we choose to use can have a powerful effect on the way we feel.

3. Work to Build Self-esteem

Help your son or daughter build self-esteem that is based on things that aren’t physical, such as artistic talent, intellect and good works in the community. When self-esteem is based on the things that really matter, your child will stand a better chance against the worst teenage issues of today.