Withall Resource

Why This Matters

Why Your Words Matter

Kids are not born thinking about carbs, clean plates, their size, or weight. Kids’ natural state is to feel “at home” and comfortable in their bodies. They love to move and they eat when they’re hungry and stop when they’re full. They are proud because they exist.

Unfortunately, by the time kids can talk, it’s likely they’ve already been exposed to negative food and body messaging. From TV commercials to magazine covers, we live in a culture that floods us daily with impossible standards.

Research shows us that eating disorders are caused by many factors, but one key factor is environmental conditions. This means that what kids see and hear is a major contributor to the development of eating disorders. While this may sound overwhelming, it’s actually hopeful. It means you can help prevent eating disorders in kids!

At WithAll, we want all kids to grow up happy and healthy.
That’s why we launched What to Say.

How What to Say Can Help You

Expert research has shown that what adults say to kids matters in an extraordinary way. Kids’ brains are not fully developed for critical thinking, so they take what you say as the truth. What they hear from you often becomes their internal dialogue.

But, you already know this because you remember a time when an adult said something negative about your body or your food choices.. Did it stick with you? How long did it take you to realize it wasn’t the truth? Just like we have experienced, kids are susceptible to what they hear us say.

Luckily, the inverse is also true. Kids remember the positive messages that we share. With 70% of girls and 40% of boys reporting body dissatisfaction, there is no better time for you to make a positive impact on the kids in your life.

How What to Say Can Help You

What to Say gives you the tools you need to protect the kids in your life. Whether you’re a parent, coach, teacher, pediatrician, or family member, What to Say gives you simple tips and phrases to build up kids when it comes to food, body, and exercise. In fact, 93% of What to Say users surveyed have shared What to Say helped them positively change in their behaviors and words. What to Say works. And, it’s easy.

Directly download resources from our resource library or take our quick, 30-second pledge to stop diet and weight talk. Applying these tips with the kids in your life will make a difference.

You’re never alone in trying to create a better world for all kids. We’re here to support you.

Get Resources

Take the Pledge

At WithAll, we are all too familiar with the devastating consequences of eating disorders. With 70% of girls and 40% of boys reporting body dissatisfaction, there is no better time for you to make a positive impact on the kids in your life.

That’s why we started the What to Say initiative.

Take the Pledge

What to say

What to Say is dedicated to equipping adults with simple tools to help kids develop healthy relationships with food and body. It starts with a 30-second pledge: to stop diet and weight talk. From there, you’ll receive ongoing resources on how to replace diet and weight talk and be an advocate for the kids in your life.

What to Say works. Pledge signers have found an 87% positive change in their behaviors and words. This means that more kids have a chance to grow up free of disordered eating and thinking.

What to Say Coaches Challenge

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Take The Pledge

THE PLEDGE: I believe that words matter. I want to make a positive impact on the kids in my life by stopping harmful diet and weight talk. I am committed to making sure that every child gets a chance to develop healthy relationships with food and body.

 









Coming Soon!

Shannon assists with the logistics of development and operations and making every day run as smoothly as possible. Her day-to-day focuses on our Recovery Support Program, budget management, events, and administrative support. She enjoys being part of the nonprofit world and finding ways to help enhance the organization. She has a heart for serving others and helping people succeed.

Shannon has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Health & Exercise Science from Gustavus Adolphus College and a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from Walden University.

Outside of work, you can find Shannon chasing her two girls around, attending sporting events and finding the next brewery or winery to explore.

Lindsay leads our operations, programming, fundraising, and communications to better fulfill our mission. She enjoys engaging with our supporters and stakeholders to build stronger connections to our work. Outside the office, you can find her planning her next trip, exploring the Twin Cities, or reading her book club’s latest pick.

With ten years of experience in nonprofit and foundation administration, Lindsay is a creative project manager working to strengthen all our operations. She loves being a part of a team deeply dedicated to discovering innovative and effective strategies to end eating disorders and is excited to invite others into this important work. Efficient and collaborative, she executes activity across all operations, including fundraising, events, communications, and programming. Lindsay has a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul, and a fundraising certificate from the University of St. Thomas. She and her family live in Richfield, MN.

As Executive Director, Lisa leads WithAll’s strategic growth as a sustainable social enterprise dedicated to the prevention of and healing from eating disorders.

Lisa has more than 20 years of experience in public affairs, community relations, and law, and nearly 15 years of experience in non-profit leadership, most recently at Minnesota Public Radio/American Public Media. She is a graduate of Mitchell Hamline School of Law, a member of the Minnesota Bar, and a Minnesota Supreme Court appointee to Minnesota’s Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board. She volunteers with her daughter’s school and with youth sports.

Lisa does this work because she knows eating disorders are not a choice; they are deadly, and they are everywhere. She also knows kids are not born with harmful thoughts and actions around food or their body—and it’s our job as adults to keep it this way so they can focus their precious brains and time on things that matter.

Lisa finds laughter, all children, and the numerous variations of sparkling water to be delightful.