Body Image in Preteens

Hi everyone!

Welcome back to Barre None. Although we’ve already had an introduction to body image (find it at http://barrenone.wixsite.com/blog/single-post/2016/10/18/An-Introduction-to-Body-Image), today I wanted to focus on body image in preteens specifically, as it justifies the importance of ensuring that preteens have a healthy body image, and gives more context to our last post about preventative strategies (http://barrenone.wixsite.com/blog/single-post/2016/12/08/Preventative-Strategies). Body image is usually a quite negative and sensitive topic to preteens, for a number of reasons. It is crucial to begin educating preteens about eating disorders and ensure that they have a positive body image to prevent developing eating disorders.

Firstly, preteens are beginning to go through puberty. This means that their bodies are going through a number of physical changes very suddenly, including natural weight gain. As a result of this rapid change, preteens can become extremely self-conscious of their new bodies.

In addition to this, there are many social factors that make preteens especially prone to negative body image. Firstly, preteens are exposed a lot of a bullying, both in school and online. This is because, generally speaking, preteens are starting to face their own problems for the first time, and tend to take it out on each other. With preteens, bullying is oftentimes targeted at looks. There is also a lot of societal pressure on teenagers to look a certain way. As preteens approach becoming teenagers, they can become especially self-conscious of the way they look.

Preteens are also starting to develop their own self-identities, which includes the way that they want to present themselves. This means that preteens spend a lot of time developing their image. Preteens are also in their formative years- so the things that they are learning and thinking right now sets the tone for the way they’re going to act as teenagers. Thus, it is essential for preteens to have positive body image and a healthy relationship with food and with their bodies.

In conclusion, it is essential to build up a healthy body image in preteens in order to prevent eating disorders. If you’re interested in learning more about body image, eating disorders, and ballet culture, please subscribe to Barre None by entering your email address below! You can also follow Barre None on Instagram and Twitter @barre_none, or by clicking the Instagram or Twitter icons on the top right corner of this page! Please leave a comment below if you’ve had any experience with a preteen and body image, or about your own journey with body image through your formative years.

Love,

Barre None

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Sources:

Image: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/af/b3/b3/afb3b3dd78f27c4582ad8f0c6253d106.jpg

Information: Kids Health. (2016). Body Image. Retrieved July 5, 2016, from http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/body-image.html#