Ugly. Probably something all of us have felt, at some point in our lives. Sometimes it's a fleeting feeling that we dismiss as quickly as it arrived & continue on with our day to day lives without a second thought, but for others, it can be a crippling, horrific demon that suffocates our happiness & draws the light out of our lives. For some...it's a belief. For some the most natural action in the world contributes to their belief of ugliness......the consumption of food.
In the UK, it has been found, that sometimes children as young as six suffer with some form of eating disorder....that is frightening, considering I have a daughter of that age. What frightens me more is that, on more than one occasion, she has asked me if her tummy is "too big". Six years old & already (albeit slightly) plagued by a worry that most of the older members of society possess. It led me to wonder...what on earth has caused a child to have that thought? Why is she concerned about her body image already?! It even led me to look at myself...I have been on so many different diets that I have lost count, have I created a norm for my children? That food is an issue?...I don't want them to develop concerns & avoidance of foods for fear of being fat, especially when their small bodies require essential vitamins, healthy fats & minerals for their growth. I educate them on healthy eating, sweets are available yet limited and I ensure they have wholesome home cooked food. Which leads me to believe that the availability of social media, their celebrity idols & the general perception of 'perfection' by society is a major factor in why more & more children are susceptible to issues with their body image.
On the opposite end of the scale is the growing issue of obesity in this country...an issue which gains so much coverage in the media. Yes obesity is a concern but so is eating disorders in such young children!
The ugly truth is that society bombards us & our children with unrealistic perceptions of what is deemed a perfect body...recently a size 6 model was dropped by her agency as she was deemed "too big"...too big!!! I must be morbidly obese at a size 10/12 if a 6 is perceived as too big! What sort of a message does that portray to not just young impressionable girls but boys also? The media depicts overweight individuals in a negative light but rarely addresses the issue of young children who are dieting through fear of being 'obese' & to obtain the image of a skinny stick insect that is plastered across our tv screens, magazines & if I'm honest I don't exactly see much meat on the childhood favourite doll, Barbie (she could do with a good meal or five)..children should be children for as long as possible & not be exposed to the dark worries & the cruel world beyond their childhood.
In terms of my daughter I will forever endeavour myself to ensure she knows how perfect & uniquely beautiful she is just as she is, to continue to educate her on the benefits of healthy eating & exercise & more importantly to enjoy being a child.
The following image is by Meg Gaiger/Harpyimages
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