Our Daughters Bodies: The Personal and Political
With childhood obesity tripling in the last 30 years and the prevalence of this condition reaching almost 20% among American youth (CDC, 2008), most believe that Michelle Obama’s recent initiative to address childhood obesity could not come at more crucial time. Like many others, I was excited to hear that the first lady was planning to use her pivotal influence to focus on the health of our youth.
I stayed thrilled until I heard that Mrs. Obama kicked off the campaign on January 29, 2010 by sharing her own concern about her daughters’ weight, as encouraged by their family physician. She noted that the First Family’s doctor had warned her that the girls may be becoming overweight. Mrs. Obama reflected, “In my eyes I thought my children were perfect [...] I didn’t see the changes.”
Unfortunately, this was not the first time that the “weight issues” of the Obama daughters was put on public display. President Obama, in a 2008 interview with Parents magazine, noted, “A couple of years ago – you’d never know it by looking at her now – Malia was getting a little chubby.” Cringe!!!!
First, it’s important for me to note that the intent of the Obamas, particularly Mrs. Obama, is, in my opinion, extremely admirable. The message that we must take notice of our (literally) growing problem is vital and can come from no better source than the First Parents, to whom many other parents look to for modeling. And speaking of modeling, the Obamas do an excellent job of that as well. Following the expression of concern by their doctor, the Obamas began making healthy changes to the family’s lifestyle – no weekday television, water instead of sugary beverages, cutting back on (but not eliminating – good demonstration of moderation!) burgers.
However, comments in national magazines or on national platforms about your daughter’s weight? Think again!
Sasha and Malia, whose lives have already been put on an international stage without truly being given the right to contest it, are already in a vulnerable position. Like all celebrities, they will inevitably (and in many ways already have) be scrutinized on everything from their athleticism to their dating choices to their hairstyles. And in true western culture tradition, their bodies will certainly be at the center of our rapt attention – and, unfortunately, dissection – as they continue to grow and mature into young women. It’s the sickening American way.
And then to have your Mom and Dad go and tell the world that they thought you had put on a few too many pounds? Oh, the pre-adolescent horror!
Seriously though, to put even more focus on the girls’ physique (“Do you think Malia looks chunky?” “Oh, I don’t know, her hips did look a little fuller in that jumper she was wearing…”) is not only putting their self-esteem at jeopardy, but also putting unnecessary attention on weight, rather than health, which should be at the center of the obesity initiative.
It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers, but far more important is for the parent, and the child, to understand health itself. And indeed, weight is not always a good indicator of health.
So I urge the Obamas, who are certainly reading my blog at least weekly, to consider their use of language and the use of their daughters as examples in public health initiatives, particularly when it means subjecting their bodies to undue scrutiny. Do I think that Sasha and Malia will develop eating disorders because of a few public comments? No, definitely not. But setting an example to both the girls and the public on how to talk about and respect each others’ boundaries will certainly be protective against such problems in the future.
Nancy
892 days ago
I do agree with the first lady that parents need to be much more objective in noting their kids’ habits and caring for their health. Part of this lack of objectivity seems to be parents projecting a lack of self-awareness on to their kids (“I hardly eat anything, but I can never lose any weight. It must be bad genetics” when in fact they are potentially eating two to three times as much as they realize). It’s almost as though if their children are also overweight, it proves the bad genetics theory, making adults feel less guilty for their own weight. Similarly, we know that when adults, especially parents, are overly critical of a particular attribute in a child (or anyone else for that matter), even from a well-intentioned, good-hearted place, this is usually a scrutiny of their own personal insecurities. I think Jung talks about this with regard to the shadow self. Perhaps even our first lady wanted to make some changes in her eating habits but didn’t notice it in herself until she saw it in her child.
Dr. Michael Katz
775 days ago
MORE ON TERRIBLE MEDIA MESSAGING:
U.S. retailer Abercrombie & Fitch has come under fire for offering a push-up bikini top to young girls. Its “Ashley” bikini (described as “padded” and a “push-up”) was posted on the Abercrombie Kids website earlier this week.
Many of us were outraged by this. But beyond outrage, THIS is a good teaching moment and, as such, we’ll use it to our advantage and let it lead us to a broader discussion of the sexualization of young girls and how THAT can result in eating disorders.
When young girls begin to think of themselves as sexual objects they, naturally, want to make that “object” as perfect as possible. So they begin to diet and exercise and obsess and worry. Worst of all, they begin the counter-productive practice of comparing themselves to the models in magazines and actresses on tv. These girls develop a mental picture of how they need to appear to the outside world; we call this their “inner ideal.”
As it turns out, Anorexia creates the opposite of the effect they’re searching for. Remember that anorexics cannot maintain their weight. Anorexics lose so much weight that they become angular, not curvy. They lose breast tissue – which is primarily fat. Also, they lose their menstrual periods – a key physiologic signal their bodies need to develop proper and natural sexual signals.
Most of all, and worst of all, they lose confidence. And confidence is sexy! In fact, it’s confidence in themselves and a personal sense of deserving happiness that can prevent them from being taken advantage of later in life. A confident woman doesn’t allow herself to become the object of abusive relationships or sexual objectification.
So, what does your 9 year-old daughter actually achieve by purchasing a push-up bra? Our answer is, “A LOT more than she bargained for.”