Why is it beneficial to talk to your child about size and body shape?

Most adults find it very hard to approach such a personal and sensitive topic such as weight, size and shape, especially when a child/teenager is involved. It is highly unlikely that a conversation around these topics, when met with safety, understanding and empathy, will create negative body issues or fuel disordered eating patterns.

A child who experiences issues connected to body shape and size, needs an adult who they trust and that can talk to them about this sensitive topic. It is very important that the adult provides for a safe space for the vulnerable child, and plenty of time, when sharing feelings that can be hard to describe. The child needs to feel acknowledged and recognised, not brushed off in a hurtful manner. The main goal is to make the child feel heard and seen for who it is, and not judged by appearances. It really matters for the child if they can feel that the adult cares about how they are doing, and they are not alone in feeling like this.

Reasons for why adults should talk to children about body, shape and size

The world is filled with images of bodies and most of the photos are touched up
The hunt for perfection today is more extreme, making it unrealistic to compare 'normal' bodies to those exposed in the media
Creating a safe environment where the child can be honest about whether body shape and size are problematic issues
The child may have experienced negative comments regarding its body, appearance or shape, and needs to talk an adult about this
If the child has a larger body shape and size, it may encounter difficulties in being active or engaging in some sports
Children who have larger bodies may feel left out and feel different from other children, making the relationships between food-body-size more difficult

Last updated 9/1/2026