COPE Community Outreach for Prevention of Eating Disorders

With thin-is-in and diet-focused ads, commercials and magazines, size discrimination and hysteria over the so-called obesity epidemic, our society perpetuates a poor body image and a false view of health. Fortunately, there are many ways you can use your voice to promote a positive body image. Here are seven ways you can make a difference.

Here are five ideas for promoting a positive body image in your daughter.

1. Teach your daughter that all shapes and sizes are beautiful.  

Remind her that genetics plays a pivotal role in how we look and that beauty comes in all different shapes, sizes, colors and ages.

2. Make exercise fun.

When you have a diet mentality, you might restrict how much you eat, count calories, count points, control your portions or avoid certain foods because they’re “unhealthy” or high in calories.

You might have strict rules around eating, such as no food after 7 p.m. or no snacking in general --- even if you’re hungry. You might avoid dessert at all costs or restrict yourself to one sweet treat a week. You might feel guilty after eating or ashamed that you can’t lose weight.

1. Smile at yourself in the mirror.

2. Ask one or two of your closest friends why they love you. (I bet it has nothing to do with your physical experience but the beauty inside!)

3. Focus on what you're thankful for. Name five to 10 things.

4. Check out one of these empowering resources.

5. Name one thing you love about yourself. Right now. This instant.

We're surrounded by pro-dieting and thin-is-in messages, which can lead us to feel bad about our bodies and even ourselves.

But fortunately, there are many gems on the Internet that focus on building girls' self-esteem from the inside out and help them to become smart, discerning consumers and citizens.

Below are a few fantastic resources that truly empower girls!

1. Smart Girls Know

For some of us, when we're stressed out, upset, anxious or experiencing another painful emotion, we turn to food for comfort. But that comfort can quickly turn into feeling guilty and even more upset, anxious or stressed out.

But while there's no reason to feel guilty about eating or overeating, regularly turning to food to make yourself feel better isn't healthy.

Fortunately, there are tons of healthy activities you can do to boost your mood and nourish your mind, body and spirit, too!

Below is just a selection of healthy strategies you can try.

How you view your body has a big impact on how you view yourself. And having a positive body image is vital for your overall health.

Below are just a few ideas to help you improve your body image.

1. Become amazed by your body! Our bodies do amazing things every single day for us that we don't even think about. They help us breathe, eat, walk, read and write. Our bodies help us hug and kiss loved ones, play with our pets, express our emotions and participate in favorite hobbies.

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