Society, culture and the media send you powerful messages about ideal body weight and shape.
Young girls are encouraged to have a thin physique.
On average, girls ages three to 11 have up to 10 Barbie dolls. These dolls have alluring, yet unrealistic body shapes and are marketed to little girls as "the toys that every girl should have."
How concerned should parents be? What is the association between the dolls you let your child play with and her self-esteem?
What may seem like "childs play" could actually affect your daughter (or son's) body image. There are A LOT of unconscious messages behind the the beauty of a doll.
Rehabs.com reports that four out of five 10-year-olds say they're afraid of being fat, and 42 percent of girls in first through third grade wish they were thinner.
Susan Strain, ACSW is the Director of Eating Disorder Services at the Recovery Ranch in Tennessee. She addresses how to prevent body dysmorphia and self-esteem issues with education in schools and at home.
Susan comes to the Ranch with extensive experience working in both inpatient and outpatient settings, dealing with a wide range of populations and psychiatric conditions. She is a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist.