Overweight or Overdone: A Panel of Little Girls Discuss Body Image

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Mihee

ABC News gathered a panel of 5 to 8-year-old girls and asked their opinions on what’s fat, what’s thin, what looks good and what looks bad. Their bluntly honest answers aligned, sadly, with a recent study that suggested almost half of 3-to-6 year old girls worry about being fat.” I was struck by the Asian American girl sitting in the front row; while innocent and somewhat cute, I did cringe hearing her say in response to the question, “Why do you want to eat healthy?” – “So I don’t get heavy so my dad can carry me.” Somehow these children are associating light (or skinny) with healthy, which is just the beginning of unhealthy perspectives on body image. Definitely depressing.

About Mihee

Mihee lives in the Mid-West with her husband, toddler-aged twins (yes, terrible twos is actually a thing), and baby #3. Though her reserve of brain cells is seriously depleted she is still passionate about Asian American culture, religion and social justice for marginalized people, stories about Korea, sports, and power naps. During the day, she spends a lot of time trying to remember which baby needs to eat or get a diaper change, mentoring and ministering to college students, occasionally taking a walk, writing, watching Sportscenter, or grabbing coffee. You can read her blog here.
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