What age do we need to focus on promoting positive body image in children?

Young children’s body image begins to develop early alongside the growth of their physical, cognitive and social abilities, even infants have a general sense of their bodies. Research indicates that body image and social norms around size and appearance are learned very young, around preschool age.

Negative body image can have significant implications for a person’s emotional and physical well-being. Research links body dissatisfaction with critical mental health problems including eating disorders, low self-esteem and depression.

Body image and self-esteem are intimately linked and can impact significantly on mental health and development. It is therefore vital that we support children to develop a healthy body image and self-esteem from an early age to enable them to flourish in these areas.