Even 3 Years Old Worry About Looking Fat and Ugly

                Children as young as three are showing signs of being unhappy with their appearance and bodies, a childcare charity have warned. Almost a third of nursery and school staff said they had heard a child label themselves as “fat” while 10% said they had heard a child say they felt ugly. Nearly a quarter of those surveyed said they had “seen signs” children aged between three and five were “unhappy with their appearance or bodies” and this figure almost doubled to nearly half of six to 10 years old. More than half said they noticed that girls were more conscious of their looks than boys.

                The research, suggests worries around image and weight begin before a child has even started school, and highlights concerns that children are becoming anxious at a younger age than before. “Concerning factors” were likely to include TV and images in story books and animations. By the age of three or four some children have already pretty much begun to make up their minds – and even hold strong views – about how bodies should look. There is evidence to suggest that some 4 year olds are aware of strategies as to how to lose weight. The report advises parents to be aware that even young children can be influenced by the way they talk about their own appearance and they are likely to be the biggest influences of all