Real Kids Come in All Sizes

Book excerpt: Confronting two of this country’s fastest growing health problems—body image and weight concerns among children and teens—this practical guide shows parents how to help their children maintain body esteem and make healthy choices a routine part of their lives. At a time when they should feel secure in their body’s growth, too many American children become anxious about size and weight and begin to eat in ways that contribute to the very problems they hope to avoid. Obesity, negative body image, and eating disorders are extremely difficult to reverse once established, and can be devastating to the self-esteem of developing bodies and egos. Long overdue, Real Kids Come in All Sizes challenges the toxic myths that promote body-image and weight concerns in our culture. Building a foundation for lifelong health, parents can use these lessons to help their children: —Eat well and be active —Accept size diversity in themselves and others —Value health and well-being over image —Be comfortable in their developing bodies —Resist damaging cultural messages —Develop a strong identity and choose realistic role models