Your words matter – be kind about what you say to yourself.
Do you constantly tell yourself that you need to lose weight now? Or are you sure you want to eat that? Or compare yourself to others – I wish I was as skinny as you – you are perfect!
As a new mom you set an example to your child. Did you know that by the age of 3, children become aware of their body shape?
42% of girls, grade 1 to 3, want to be “thinner”. In the 6-12 age group, 40-60% of girls become concerned about their weight or about being fat, which is a concern that is carried out through life.
25% of preschool girls diet regularly by skipping meals, avoiding certain foods, eating low calories and cutting out carbohydrates such as bread, rice, potato etc. (Smolak et al. 2011).
A study in 2016 reported that 40% girls & 37% boys in primary school, were teased because of their weight by their family members or friends. This leads to drastic weight management efforts, binge eating and actually predicts weight gain.
Another study of 2016 found that 58.6% of girls and 28.2% of boys were actively dieting whereas 68.4% and 51% of them were exercising to lose weight or avoid gaining.
A research study on 496 12-year old girls, over a period of 8 years, found that a total of 13.2% had symptoms of eating disorders by age 20. (Stice E, Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 2010.)
In sports such as wrestling, horseracing, gymnastics & swimming, a study in 2001, found that 33% of male athletes & 62% female athletes had disordered eating habits. (Leslie Bonci, 2009, Byrne et al. 2001; Sundot, 2004)
Disordered eating statistics have increased from a devastating 3.4% to 9% in 2022 worldwide!!!
Your words can cause harm because:
- Acknowledging that someone has lost weight implies that they didn’t have a satisfying weight to begin with and that THAT is something noticeable.
- Weight shouldn’t be what you see. Rather say, “How are you? And if they say that they are well, u can add “ Im happy, u look great!”
- Asking someone about their choice of food implies that you know better! A Healthy eating lifestyle comes from within.
- Rather equip yourself and people around you with knowledge about balanced nutrient dense food that benefit your HEALTH and not your WEIGHT!
- Giving the complement of being “skinny/petite” can be very dangerous, because if that person has a battle with food and you tell them they are a rolemodel, you may cause inner conflict of do they really have a problem, which may cause a setback.
- Choose your words, feeling fat is not a feeling and should preferably not be mentioned in front of kids or friends. Focus on ability and health rather than weight.
Speak life and help people around you to feel worthy and loved with potential to bloom!