Friday, December 08, 2006

For my future daughters, my nieces, my friends' daughters...

I grow more concerned as the frequency of these studies increase. It's hard growing up no matter what, but it seems there is so much more "appearance" pressure and stress on girls. Their mental and physical health are both at risk from such an early start.

Girls study: More weighing, more trouble
"The act of getting on the scale, weighing yourself every day, can lead to an unhealthy weight preoccupation," said lead researcher Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, a professor at the university's School of Public Health. "And teenage girls who are concerned about their weight are at great risk for unhealthy weight control behaviors."

How do you work against this? I have no daughters, but I do have several nieces. I already see my 8 year old niece showing concern over her looks being good enough. I always try to let her know she looks beautiful the way she is. But wow...There is a lot out there going against us as parents and role models.

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