ABSTRACT
Children will develop the majority of their beliefs, attitudes and behaviours from the important adults in their lives. Despite the powerful influence of the media on body image, parents and carers are the main role models for their children.Although society’s ideals of beauty and body shape can create unreal expectations, the influence of home is a crucial factor in the development of a child’s healthy attitude towards their own body. Parents and family members have the highest impact on children’s body image, and this is particularly evident for girls. Many of the most significant messages that children receive about their own self-worth and body image will come from what they see and hear around them in their families.The adults’ own attitudes to food and diet, their own eating patterns, body image concerns and behaviours are highly likely to be communicated to their children (Phares et al., 2004).
