Page 100 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2024

HEALTHY LIVING
story by Dr. Nickie Harris-Ray
The belief that our bodies are beautiful and valued is body positivity.
It is our perception of our worth. Feeling that we are "worth it" in all aspects of life is so important, especially in a growing child. They are
still learning their places in the world, so the confidence to proceed is inherently tied to body positivity. Media may make kids more crucial
to themselves than expected. Diversity and inclusivity movements are abundant in the U.S. but only sometimes meet the mark. As parents, teachers, siblings, and family members, we must begin to enforce value into the lives of our vulnerable in all aspects of their day-to-day agendas.
We must teach, even during an epidemic of childhood obesity, that all bodies are deserving of love, appreciation, and acceptance. We must encourage health and happiness in a society that promotes slimness or fitness. This can begin as early in childhood as toddlerhood, as simplistic as saying, "You are beautiful, intelligent, healthy, and essential."
The Children's Hospital of Colorado tells us that body positivity determines how people care for themselves, get along with others,
and reward themselves. This is important to both physical and mental health. Constantly reinforcing positive language, positive images,
and interception of negative images all aid in body positivity in kids. Children who see the adults around them demonstrating healthy habits and positive self-esteem are likelier to imitate the same. The earlier kids begin to take in the aspects of positive body imaging and not impact themselves with negative imaging, the better their path will be as they age. High self-esteem and confidence will support physical and mental health habits for the rest of their lives.
100 | April 2024
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living