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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2007)
Page 8 The INDEPENDENT, March 1, 2007 Here’s help in raising young girls to have healthy body images In a culture where appear- ance weighs heavily on public consciousness, parents are confronted with the challenge of raising children with healthy body images and robust self esteem. This is much easier said than done as evidenced by recent statistics: — A study of American girls indicated that as many as 65 percent had formed ideas about dieting by age 5. — A Swedish study found that 25 percent of young fe- males had dieted by age 7 and were already estimating them- selves to be larger than they re- ally were. — Harvard University re- searchers report that at least 50 percent of girls are signifi- cantly unhappy about the way they look by age 13. — By age 17, only three out of 10 girls have not succumbed to dieting, according to the Har- vard study. — Boys and young men are not immune to the trend. Body dissatisfaction in men has nearly tripled over the last 30 years, according to Katharine Phillips, M.D., professor of psy- chiatry at Brown University Medical School in Providence, R.I. So what’s a parent to do? Experts offer the following tips (which may very well help boost your body image too!): — Don’t talk about your own weight or your child’s. Instead steer your conversations to- ward the importance of regular physical activity and making healthy food choices. — Work on building self es- teem through accomplishments and recognizing personal tal- ents. For example, help your child train for and complete a three-mile walk or run. Nurture their gifts in music, art or athlet- ics. Encourage them to value what their bodies can do, as opposed to how they look, and revel in what makes them unique as individuals. — Be a role model. Don’t en- gage in any verbal “self-bash- ing” and lead by example when it comes to nutrition, regular ex- ercise and eating appropriate portion sizes. — Downplay media ideals. Remind your children that celebrities often achieve physi- cal perfection through surgery and air brushing. Help them identify people in their own lives whom they admire and can emulate. — Fight compartmentalizing – a tendency to focus on just one area of the body that is dis- satisfying. — Help your children to identify things they like about their bodies, such as pretty eyes, strong legs, a nice smile, etc. Jazzercise CEO Judi Shep- pard Missett says exercise is a wonderful way to boost body image because it shifts the fo- cus from appearance to what the body can achieve. Regular workouts enhance mood and a general sense of well being as Shape up for spring with this sunny offer... No Joining Fee* *with EFT or 2-month registration. Vernonia Jazzercise 359 A Street (503)429-0196 well. So gather up your children and try the following Pilates ex- ercise to improve core strength. Because it targets “core” (abdominal and back) muscles, this exercise also improves posture, which makes you look and feel more confident. Many good Pilates videos and books are available and classes are springing up everywhere in health clubs, community cen- ters, and dance studios. Lie on your back on an exer- cise mat or other soft surface. Bend your knees and lift them off the floor one at a time. Pull them up toward your chest, then curl your upper body off the floor and hold onto your knees in a tuck position. Check to make sure your shoulders are relaxed and your tailbone is on the floor. Now place both hands on your left leg and straighten your right leg. Ex- hale and change legs, holding onto your right knee and ex- tending your left leg. Continue switching legs 10 to 20 times. Keep your hips stable, your tail- bone on the floor, your abs pulled in, and your shoulders relaxed. Make sure you contin- ue breathing throughout the ex- ercise! Jazzercise, created by Judi Sheppard Missett, is the world’s leading dance-fitness program with more than 6,000 instructors teaching 20,000 classes weekly in the U.S. and around the globe. Since 1969, millions of people of all ages and fitness levels have reaped the benefits of this comprehen- sive program, designed to en- hance cardiovascular en- durance, strength, and flexibili- ty. For more information on Jazzercise go to jazzercise. com or call 1(800) FIT-IS-IT or (760) 476-1750. Long term care advocates sought Volunteer advocates and in- vestigators are needed to serve as ombudsmen for resi- dents of nursing homes, resi- dential care facilities, assisted living facilities and adult foster care homes. The Office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman will train the volunteers on the aging process, communication skills, problem-solving skills, in- vestigation and other ombuds- man skills. The certification training will begin on Tuesday, March 20, in Portland. As Certified Ombudsmen, the volunteers work to improve the quality of residents’ lives, by identifying and investigating complaints and concerns on behalf of the residents, then working with the facilities to make changes. The concerns ombudsmen address cover a broad range, and often include resident care, residents’ rights, such as privacy, respect and dignity; and quality of life con- cerns such as appropriate ac- tivities and meals. “The volun- teers make a tremendous dif- ference in the lives of the resi- dents,” says Kathy Walter, Pro- gram Administrator, “They are well-prepared and effective. For information about the program or to learn how to get involved, contact Kathy Walter at 1-800-522-2602. Other restrictions may apply. Offer expires April 15, 2007. Free presentation on Caregiving Full Body Massage or Facial Cleansing RELAX! REVITALIZE! ENJOY! $40 1 Hour • Expires 4/10/07 No other discounts apply. A soothing health, relaxing, youth promoting massage or facial cleansing! ND physician support by trained skilled assistants! Ask for Karen or Cindy. Dr. J. J. Dougherty, ND 268 SE 4th Ave., Hillsboro Call 503-640-2411 for an appointment May qualify for insurance coverage. Caring for Caregivers will be the topic of a Brown Bag (feel free to bring your lunch) ses- sion on Wednesday, March 7, at 11:30 a.m. and an Evening Chat discussion on Thursday, March 8, starting at 6:00 p.m. Learn practical tips on how to maintain personal well-being while providing quality care for Daylight Savings time begins March 11 a family member. Session is taught by instructors and mas- ter trainers for the periodic Powerful Tools for Caregivers Course. The discussion will include topics such as goal-setting, problem-solving, tips for effec- tive communication, and ways to reduce stress, guilt and anger. These free sessions will be held at Tuality Health Educa- tion Center, 334 SE 8th Av- enue, Hillsboro. For more information, call 503-681-1700 or visit the web- site at www.tuality.org.
