Miss Universe Contestant, Role Model Malnourished, Doctors Say

How do youth pastors and parents combat the barrage of imagery in media today telling teen girls that they need to be super skinny to be considered attractive?

The latest controversy is in Australia where a Miss Universe contestant is sparking controversy for her weight (or lack of it). Her body mass index is only 15.1 (18 and below is considered malnourished), and doctors believe she probably has an eating disorder (source).

This isn’t the first time extremely low weight has been an issue with celebrities. One young model died a few years ago after suffering from anorexia (she was 5′8″, 88 lbs.).

Now studes are saying that one third of 11 year olds have already dieted, and one in five percent are “always on a diet because they were so unhappy with the shape of their body.”

We can do several things to help our students and children develop a healthy body image:

• Teach that our self-worth does not come from who we are or what we look like. It all starts in Christ and His limitless love for us. We must understand our identity in Christ.
• Guard against the media. Encourage students to limit what they watch and what they read. Challenge your youth group to take a two week media fast and discuss its effects.
• Model a healthy self-image. Show your students that you are content in Christ no matter what the scale says.

Related posts:

1. Why They Come to Youth Group (Youth Group Meetings, Part 1)
   People have been asking more and more about how to...
2. Growth & Hard Work
   “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is...
3. Youth ministry is struggling
   I absolutely love youth ministry. I love seeing students’ lives...
4. Two Don’t-Miss YM Resources
   I read a recent post from Joshua Griffin with a...
5. The Role of Adults in Student Leadership
   The guys over at Cadre Ministries have made one of...