Synopses & Reviews
By age fourteen, three-quarters of American girls cut calories in a way that robs them of crucial nutrients because they feel “too fat.” The latest studies show that half of sixth-grade girls are terrified of gaining weight, and one-third of nine-year-olds have already tried dieting. Meanwhile, steroid use has increased dramatically among boys, even among nonathletes. Fortunately, it is possible for parents to prevent an unhealthy body image and weight concerns from arising in their children in the first place.
Based on proven classroom techniques, Real Kids Come in All Sizes is a guide for parents who want their children to feel comfortable in their own bodies while living healthy lives. The author, an experienced psychotherapist, begins by debunking six damaging myths about body image, eating, and weight that permeate our culture. She then presents parents with practical strategies to challenge these myths by talking to their children about their genetic legacy, their changing bodies, hunger and appetite, the need for physical activity, and how to maintain perspective on their looks. While learning how to successfully provide their children with a blueprint for healthy choices and attitudes, parents will also read about important—and often controversial—issues such as childhood obesity, the definition of healthy weight, the effect of mass media, and how cultural differences and prejudice influence body image attitudes. Armed with this knowledge, parents will be better prepared to take an active role in the development of their child’s body intelligence.
Long overdue, Real Kids Come in All Sizes gives parents the tools they need to help the next generation of boys and girls feel at ease with the bodies they were born with while motivating them to be healthy for health’s—not beauty’s—sake.
About the Author
KATHY KATER is a psychotherapist in St. Paul, Minnesota, who treats teens and adults with life-threatening eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Her “Healthy Body Image” curriculum is used in fourth- through sixth-grade classrooms around the country.