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The Girl Scouts of the USA asked 2,060 girls (along with 461 boys and 599 mothers) what they think it means to be "healthy." The New Normal? What Girls Say about Healthy Living, starts with the statement that "child and adolescent obesity and weight control are among today’s top public health concerns." The study aims to find out girls' attitudes about health and body image to gain some insight into obesity statistics and assumptions.

For most of us, the study's findings are not exactly shocking. Still, it's yet more confirmation that as girls and woman we are still measuring ourselves based on (surprise!) our appearance. So we have a choice to make: Are we willing to do what it takes to start weighing ourselves (and others) based on our *real* substance—as in our minds, hearts, souls—instead?

Here's a recap of some of the study's findings, along with a little body Rx we can all swallow:

• For most girls, being healthy has more to do with appearing "normal" and feeling accepted than maintaining good diet and exercise habits.

• On one hand girls are told to be happy the way they are, and on the other hand, they are given the message that being "overweight" is unhealthy and unattractive.

• The more physically active girls are, the greater their self-esteem and the more satisfied they are with their weight, regardless of how much they weigh. Yet 40% of girls ages 11-17 say they do not play sports because they do not feel skilled or competent and 23% do not think their bodies look good.

• Girls’ view physical and emotional health as closely connected. For example, more than a third of girls ages 11–17 reported eating more when they are “stressed out” and overweight girls are more than twice as likely as girls who are not overweight to report eating more in times of stress. Because girls also tend to be more prone to stress and worry than boys, they are more susceptible to overeating.

• Meal skipping, particularly breakfast and lunch, is not uncommon among girls and occurs more frequently as they grow older. More than 60% of teenage girls skip breakfast at least once a week and nearly 20% skip it every day.

• A mother’s weight, body image, attitude, and health habits are strong indicators of whether her daughter is overweight, satisfied with her body, and physically active. Girls look to their mothers for advice on healthy living. A daughter’s dissatisfaction with her weight is greater if her mother is also dissatisfied with her own weight, in spite of how much a daughter actually weighs.

Rx: No matter where you are on the body image or weight scale, being the true you comes down to seeing your body as more than a billboard to get attention, acceptance, or love from other people. Let's all start here: Look at your body in terms of how it will help you serve your purpose in life and meet your goals. You only have one body to cart around that great brain and wise soul of yours, and that’s why treating your body with respect is a must:

1. Take care of you. It took me awhile to really believe this one: Your mind and body are one in the same. You can't love you and then hate your bod.

To really take care of you, you gotta take ownership of your body. It's your home. And this means you gotta listen to your body. This is something we've been so programmed *not* to do even though it's totally natural, smart and respectful! So when you're tired: rest. When you're in pain: listen and investigate. When you're stressed: seek real calm (vs. numbing yourself). When you're restless: move. When you're at risk: protect yourself. When you're hungry: eat food that sustains and nurtures you. When you're thirsty: drink stuff that actually quenches your thirst. When you or someone else is hurting your body: get help. In other words, take care of your body out of love and respect (not to win any contests).

2. Be a body role model. When we're advocates for other girls and women, it rubs off on us in a really permanent way (the kinda tattoo you never want to get rid of). So to start loving your body, show other girls the love. Around younger girls, don't say you're fat, ugly or anything else downright mean about yourself. Change the world for the better by *not* talking the Language of Fat. Don't size each other up based on your size. Compliment a girl's character, choices, accomplishments and ideas (not just how cute she looks in pair of jeans). Make body choices that show your sisters that you *truly* love yourself (like not depriving yourself of what you need and making your health a priority). Don't be afraid to try new sports or activities, which also shows other girls that it's OK not to be perfect all the time (remember, being active boosts your self-respect either way).

Moms, if you want to transform your daughters' lives in a really amazing way: stop hating, abusing or putting down your body. They're watching and learning (just like we did!).

3. Go on a fast. As in a media fast. If there is one thing that can persuade the most self-respecting girl to slide into disrespecting her body, it's twisted advice and body ideals. And yes, sorry, we are influenced by what we watch and read (and hear from friends who are watching, reading, and listening to unhealthy media). So as much as I love celebrity gossip mags and MTV like the rest of you, ditch 'em for awhile. When you're no longer marinating your brain in a sea of size 0s, diet tips, or body-obsessed "role" models, you'll get some much-needed clarity. And this goes back to what the Girl Scouts study is all about: What does being healthy mean to girls? You need the space to be the real you—without interruption or outside pressure—to truly fund out.

More info >
RESPECT Chapter 2, Your Body: Find out how to make respectful body choices and 13 more ways to boost your body respect.
Help! Body image and health resources.
101 Ways to Help Your Daughter Love Her Body

Comments (0) | by Courtney on March 27

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