One Doctor’s Top Advice for Parents to Prevent Food & Body Image Issues in Kids

Doctors can be excellent partners in helping kids develop positive body image and food relationships. We partnered with one of the family physicians in our What to Say Network to share the top advice she gives to parents for supporting kids’ health at home. Here’s what she had to say:

Trust Your Child’s Body

Your main job around eating as a parent is to trust your child’s body to grow in the way it’s meant to. All kids are different, so try to avoid comparison to other kids (even in the same family) around how their bodies are developing, how much they eat, and how often or intensely they move. THERE IS NO ONE RIGHT WAY TO PARENT or FEED/EAT.

Avoid Comparison and Weight Management

Children’s bodies are not meant to conform to a single standard. Avoid focusing on or managing their weight. Instead, emphasize healthy behaviors and their overall well-being.

Focus on Positive Relationships

Work on helping your child build a positive connection with food and their body. The Intuitive Food and Body Relationship Model developed by Sumner Brooks and Amee Severson outlines six essential elements to nurture:

• Connection: Help your child feel connected to their body and its signals.
• Permission: Allow them to eat a variety of foods without labeling certain foods as “good” or “bad.”
• Trust: Trust their ability to regulate how much and what they eat.
• Comfort: Make mealtime a safe and enjoyable experience.
• Satisfaction: Encourage them to notice and honor feelings of hunger and fullness.
• Flexibility: Teach them that it’s okay to be spontaneous and adaptable with food choices.

Goals for a Healthy Relationship with Food

Here are some specific goals to keep in mind as you support your child’s food and body relationship:

• Provide enough food with sufficient nutrients to support their natural growth.
• Encourage flexibility and spontaneity around food choices.
• Avoid restriction of any foods or food groups.
• Eliminate guilt or shame around eating or food choices.
• Promote a kind and caring relationship with their body.

Adapt for Neurodivergent Kids

If your child has neurocognitive differences, their feeding needs may look different from typical guidelines. That’s perfectly okay. There are resources and strategies tailored to support a healthy feeding relationship for neurodivergent children. Ask your doctor for recommendations.

Helpful Resources

Here are some trusted resources to deepen your understanding and support:

• Books: How to Raise an Intuitive Eater by Sumner Brooks and Amee Severson
• The Division of Responsibility: Developed by Ellyn Satter (available on her website and in books)
• Podcasts and Newsletters: Burnt Toast by Virginia Sole-Smith and Sunny Side Up Nutrition

Final Thoughts

At every stage of your child’s growth, your role as a parent is to create an environment that supports a positive relationship with food and their body. It’s not about perfection but about fostering trust, flexibility, and kindness. With these tools and resources, you can help your child develop lifelong habits that support their overall health and confidence.

Remember, it’s not just about what we feed our kids—it’s about how we talk about food and bodies that makes all the difference.