How Body Impact Children: Building Positive Body Image and Self-Esteem in Young People
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How to Improve Body Image and Self-Esteem Practical Steps to Boost Self-Esteem
Understanding Body Image in Teens
The Link Between Body Image and Self-Esteem
The Role of Body Image and Media
Statistics on Teenage Body Image
Promoting Health and Body Image Together
Body image is a powerful and often overlooked influence in the lives of children and teenagers. As Stephanie Rumble, renowned Fashion Stylist and Accountability Coach from Bright Red, explains in her "Style for Life" podcast, our relationship with our own bodies profoundly shapes the next generation's self-esteem and confidence. The way we think, speak, and behave about our own bodies sends a clear message to the young people around us.
In this article, we explore the impact of body image on children and teens, the role of media, and how we can foster positive body image from a young age through mindful parenting, education, and open conversation.
How to Improve Body Image and Self-Esteem
Stephanie shares her personal journey with body image, reflecting on how early experiences, peer pressure, and media portrayals shaped her perception of herself. This lifelong learning process taught her that to improve body image and self esteem in young people, it starts with adults modelling self-acceptance and confidence.
Helping children develop healthy self-esteem goes beyond physical appearance. It involves nurturing their emotional resilience, self-worth, and belief in their own capabilities. Body image is just one piece of this larger puzzle.
For those looking to support young people on this journey, Bright Red offers specialised education workshops that explore confidence-building, resilience, and wellbeing—providing valuable tools for both individuals and workplaces.
Practical Steps to Boost Self-Esteem
Reflect on your own relationship with your body.
Avoid negative body talk about yourself or others in front of children.
Celebrate body diversity—recognising that all shapes and sizes are valid.
Focus on how bodies function, not just how they look.
Encourage open conversations about feelings, self-worth, and identity.
By embedding these practices into daily life, we help young people build lasting self-esteem that extends beyond appearance.
Understanding Body Image in Teens
Adolescence is a critical time when body image concerns often surface. Physical changes, combined with increased exposure to media and social pressures, make teens especially vulnerable to distorted self-perceptions.
“Lead by example. Show your children what it looks like to have a positive relationship with your body.” ~ Stephanie Rumble
Signs of poor body image in teens include:
Constant self-comparison
Frequent body checking or mirror-gazing
Dissatisfaction or shame about appearance
Withdrawal from social activities
Teenagers and body image issues often stem from unrealistic societal expectations. Helping them develop a positive body image involves supportive conversations and creating spaces where individuality is celebrated. Teaching them to challenge external pressures is essential for building resilience.
The Link Between Body Image and Self-Esteem
A healthy body image and self esteem go hand-in-hand. When young people learn to appreciate and accept their bodies, they are more likely to:
Engage in healthy behaviours
Participate in physical activities
Experience better mental health
Positive body image not only helps prevent mental health challenges like depression and anxiety but also lays the foundation for overall life satisfaction. Teaching self-compassion and gratitude for what the body can do is essential for emotional wellbeing.
“There’s no perfect body—everyone has imperfections, and that’s perfectly normal.” ~ Stephanie Rumble
The Role of Body Image and Media
Media plays a powerful role in shaping how we view ourselves and others. From magazine covers to social media influencers, images of so-called "ideal" bodies are everywhere, often portraying unattainable standards of beauty.
Key ways media affects body image:
Promotes narrow beauty standards
Fuels unrealistic expectations
Encourages comparison and dissatisfaction
Open discussions about media literacy can help children and teens critically evaluate the content they consume. Encouraging them to follow diverse, body-positive accounts on social media contributes to building a healthier self image in adolescence.
What is a Healthy Body Image?
A healthy body image means:
Accepting and appreciating one's body
Focusing on how the body feels and functions
Avoiding extreme diets or unsafe fitness practices
Cultivating a healthy body image is not about promoting perfection, but about fostering self-respect, self-care, and kindness towards oneself. This approach benefits both physical and mental health and helps young people avoid the pitfalls of disordered eating and negative self-talk.
For those seeking to align outward appearance with inner confidence, Bright Red offers personal styling consultations, helping individuals of all shapes and sizes feel comfortable, stylish, and empowered.
Statistics on Teenage Body Image
The concern about body image among young people is not just anecdotal—it is backed by compelling statistics:
46% of New Zealand youth (aged 12–24) identify body image as one of their top concerns (NZ Herald).
54% of female adolescents in Otago feel their body is "too fat" compared to 22% of males (YWCA).
Around 1 in 3 boys and 1 in 2 girls aged 11–13 report body dissatisfaction (CSIRO Health Promotion Journal).
80% of young women aged 18–24 think about their appearance all the time or often (YWCA Report).
79% of New Zealand youth have seen social media posts that made them feel negatively about their bodies (YWCA Report).
These body image facts highlight the urgent need for body image education in schools and at home. Early intervention and open, supportive conversations can make a lasting difference in how young people see themselves.
What Influences Body Image?
Several factors shape how children and teens perceive their bodies. These influences can either strengthen or weaken a young person's self-image:
Family attitudes and behaviours
Peer opinions and teasing
Cultural and societal ideals
Media representation
Recognising what influences body image helps adults intervene in meaningful ways. Encouraging children to develop their own sense of identity beyond appearance is vital. Promoting body image and self confidence helps young people build resilience against societal pressures.
Why is Body Image Important?
A child's self-worth is often closely linked to how they feel about their body. Body image is important because it affects:
Self-worth and confidence
Mental health and risk of disorders
Lifestyle choices and physical health
Poor female body image problems, in particular, can lead to disordered eating, anxiety, and depression. The stakes are high, making early support essential. Teaching young people how to change your body image begins with helping them reframe how they speak to and about themselves.
For individuals seeking personalised guidance to build confidence, manage wellbeing, and create lasting healthy habits, Bright Red's accountability coaching services provide tailored support.
Promoting Health and Body Image Together
Stephanie stresses that fostering health and body image together is key. True wellbeing comes from finding balance. Encouraging young people to:
Nourish their bodies with balanced nutrition
Engage in physical activities they enjoy
Practise self-care and rest
Celebrate progress over perfection
Through this lens, parents and educators can promote positive body image without fostering an obsession with appearance. The goal is to build habits that support lifelong physical and emotional health.
Final Thoughts
Creating a future where children and teenagers grow up with confidence, resilience, and a positive body image begins with us. By modelling acceptance, challenging unrealistic standards, and nurturing self-esteem, we can help the next generation thrive—both in mind and body.
Through her work at Bright Red, Stephanie Rumble offers practical tools and guidance for parents, schools, and communities committed to raising self-assured, healthy young people. Whether through education workshops, personal styling, or accountability coaching, her services are designed to inspire lasting positive change.
To learn more, visit Bright Red Education.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is body image and why does it matter?
Body image refers to how you think and feel about your body—how it looks, feels, and functions. It's shaped by your own perceptions as well as external influences like family, friends, and media.
Having a positive body image is important because it supports confidence, emotional wellbeing, and healthy lifestyle choices. Teaching children and teens to respect and appreciate their bodies can help them build resilience in the face of societal pressures.
How does a parent's body image affect their children?
Children often learn how to feel about their own bodies by observing the attitudes and behaviours of their parents or caregivers. If parents speak negatively about their own appearance or others', children may internalise these beliefs.
By modelling self-acceptance, balanced eating, and healthy lifestyle habits, parents can create a home environment that fosters positive body image and self-esteem in their children.
What are the signs of poor body image in teenagers?
Some common signs include constant self-comparison, frequent mirror checking, dissatisfaction with appearance, and withdrawing from social activities. Teens may also express negative comments about their weight or shape.
Open communication, encouragement, and professional support can help teenagers navigate these challenges. Bright Red offers resilience training workshops that help build confidence and self-worth in young people.
How can I help my teen improve their body image?
Start by listening without judgement and acknowledging their feelings. Encourage them to focus on what their body can do, rather than how it looks. Compliment their strengths, skills, and character traits that have nothing to do with appearance.
Involving them in activities that build confidence—whether it's sport, arts, or volunteering—can also shift the focus from appearance to ability and value.
How does social media impact body image?
Social media often presents unrealistic and highly curated versions of reality, which can fuel comparison, self-criticism, and dissatisfaction. Teenagers are particularly vulnerable to these pressures as they are still forming their identity.
Teaching media literacy and encouraging a diverse range of social media influences can help teens critically assess what they see online. Limiting screen time and promoting real-life social connections can also support healthier self-image.
What is considered a healthy body image?
A healthy body image means accepting and appreciating your body, regardless of its shape, size, or perceived flaws. It involves feeling comfortable in your own skin and not allowing appearance to define self-worth.
This mindset supports both mental wellbeing and physical health. Services like personal styling consultations from Bright Red can also help individuals feel more confident by learning how to dress for their unique body.
Why is body image education important in schools?
Body image education helps young people understand how to build self-esteem, resilience, and body acceptance. It equips them with tools to challenge negative stereotypes, media messages, and peer pressure.
Early education on these topics can prevent the development of harmful behaviours such as disordered eating and low self-worth. Bright Red’s education workshops are designed to support schools and organisations in delivering these vital messages.
How can I talk to my child about body image?
Keep the conversation positive and ongoing. Focus on what the body can do, rather than how it looks, and avoid using words like “fat” or “ugly” when talking about yourself or others.
Encourage your child to speak openly about their feelings and to question unrealistic images they may see in the media. Above all, ensure they feel valued for who they are, not just how they appear.
What role does resilience play in body image?
Resilience helps individuals cope with challenges, criticism, and societal pressures related to body image. A resilient person is better able to bounce back from negative experiences and maintain a healthy sense of self.
Resilience can be taught through practical tools, mindset shifts, and positive role models. Bright Red’s resilience training workshops provide actionable strategies to help young people and adults strengthen resilience in all areas of life.
Where can I get help if I’m struggling with body image or self-esteem?
If you or someone you know is struggling, it’s important to seek support. Talking to a trusted friend, family member, or professional can make a significant difference.
Bright Red offers accountability coaching that provides personalised guidance to help people build confidence, improve self-worth, and create lasting healthy habits.
