Teaching Children About Body Image with a Faith-Based Perspective
Sep 06, 2024Teaching Our Children About Body Image, Nutrition, and Wellness with a Faith-Based Perspective
Welcome to Raising Faithful Families! Today, we are joined by Debbie Ryan. Debbie has been teaching parents and families for over 10 years, holding a degree in health marketing and communications, and she’s dedicated a decade of service with Christian Care Ministry. She’s deeply passionate about the holistic wellness of those around her, especially her family. Today, we are talking about practical tips for teaching our children about nutrition and wellness—and how wellness begins with Jesus.
Full episode is available on the Raising Faithful Families podcast and YouTube.
Katy: Debbie, welcome! We’re so excited to have you here. Is there anything you’d like to add about your background before we get into the questions?
Debbie: Well, first, thank you for having me! This is definitely a topic I’m truly passionate about. A little more about me: I started as an exercise science major, and at that time, I was competing in national-level fitness competitions. I learned a lot about health—but also what not to do.
I moved on to teaching biblically-based wellness classes, and even taught in a faith-based gym as a personal trainer. Now, I work with Christian Care Ministry, where I’m alongside health coaches and nutritionists, communicating wellness practices to members. All those past experiences have shaped me into the person I am, and God has used them for my most important ministry—being a mom to my two kids. I hope what I share today will encourage others.
Focusing on Health, Not Weight
Katy: A faith-based gym sounds awesome! Now, one question I really wanted to address is about self-esteem. Health and nutrition are important, but if we’re not careful, focusing too much on these can impact our kids’ confidence. What advice can you offer to parents about keeping a healthy focus without crossing lines that could harm their child’s self-esteem?
Debbie: That’s such a great question. With my own kids, there were concerns about weight, but I always shifted the conversation to focus on health, not weight. The Bible doesn’t tell us what our weight should be, but it gives us a lot of wisdom about maintaining healthy bodies.
I also think it’s important to know that kids get teased about all kinds of things today, not just weight. My daughter’s in middle school, and she’s heard it all—kids making fun of someone’s forehead or feet. None of that is what God tells us to focus on. So I always try to direct conversations toward what matters—character and actions, not physical appearance.
Our Bodies Are a Temple
Katy: I love that perspective! It reminds me of 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, where we’re reminded that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. It helps me reframe my thinking when I’m not taking care of myself—it’s not just about me, but about honoring God. How can we teach this idea to our kids in a way that resonates with them?
Debbie: That’s a great verse! I had an experience with my son back in fourth grade. The bus was overcrowded, and a kid told my son he was taking up too much space. It was the first time anyone had said something like that to him, and he became self-conscious about his weight.
That opened the door for me to talk to him about what we can control and what we can’t. I’d ask him, “Have you eaten healthy foods today? Have you been active?” I knew he had, so I’d say, “Then you’re doing what God’s called you to do to take care of your body.”
Before that, I also made sure he knew that God created him perfectly. I’d say, “Does God make mistakes?” and of course, he’d say no. So I’d tell him, “God made you exactly how He wanted you to be, for what He has planned for you.” It’s about helping him see that his body is something to care for, but also understanding that God doesn’t make mistakes.
Strengthening Self-Esteem
Katy: That’s so powerful. My son is about to start kindergarten, and I’m already nervous about what he’ll face. How can we help strengthen our kids’ self-esteem so that bullying or criticism doesn’t hurt them as much?
Debbie: That’s a great question, and honestly, I think it’s less about if it happens and more about when. But if kids are equipped with tools and know who they are in Christ, they’ll be able to handle it better.
I actually brought a shirt from my son’s closet that he used to wear all the time. It says, “In Christ, I am blessed, chosen, adopted, redeemed, forgiven, sealed, loved, saved.” It then asks, “What do you allow to define you?” That’s what I try to instill in my kids—kids might say things, even adults might say things, but it’s God who defines them. Reminding them of that truth is key.
Helping Kids Develop Healthier Habits
Katy: That’s such a helpful perspective. Now, for parents who see that their child might already be developing unhealthy habits, or they’re hesitant to talk about weight or health, how can they make healthier adjustments in their home?
Debbie: Great question. I think the more a child is involved in their health, the more it will stick. Take them grocery shopping, let them pick out healthy foods, and get them involved in cooking. I also like to teach kids the difference between God-made food and man-made food. For example, in the grocery store, I’d say, “This fruit and vegetable is made by God, and this package of cookies is made in a factory. Which one do you think will make your body healthier?”
Why Prioritizing Health is Crucial
Katy: I love that approach. What happens when parents don’t prioritize health and wellness for their kids? How can that affect their energy levels, mood, or social life?
Debbie: Unfortunately, we’re seeing a lot of anxiety in kids, and a lot of it spirals from negative thoughts. I teach my kids to take their thoughts captive, but you have to explain it in a way they understand. For example, in the book Good Pictures, Bad Pictures, they use the concept of a “desire brain” and a “controlling brain.” The desire brain wants things like cookies, but the controlling brain helps us make decisions, like choosing not to eat an entire plate of cookies.
This also applies to negative thoughts. Once they start spiraling, they can pick up speed and get out of control. That’s why it’s important to teach kids to stop those thoughts and replace them with God’s truth—“I am loved. I am chosen.”
Adjusting Our Own Body Image as Parents
Katy: That’s so helpful. What about parents who struggle with their own body image but want to avoid passing those struggles onto their kids? What’s your advice for them?
Debbie: Honestly, the same tips I shared for guiding kids apply to adults too. We need to remember that God made us exactly the way He wanted. But yes, we have to be mindful not to vocalize negative things in front of our kids. They pick up on everything.
If you do slip up, I think it’s important to be real with your kids. Tell them, “I’m struggling with this, but I’m going to pray about it and work through it with God.” Let them see that you’re going to God for help too.
Final Thoughts
Katy: I love that. So, I always like to ask—if you could share one message with the world, what would it be?
Debbie: I would say, “You are loved, you are special, and you are beautiful just the way you are.” If we teach our kids that, when outside attacks come, they’ll be much better equipped to handle them.
Debbie shared such valuable insights into how we can raise children with a healthy understanding of body image and wellness, all rooted in God’s truth. If you’d like to connect with Debbie, you can find her on LinkedIn or through MediShare.com.
Thank you, Debbie, for this conversation, and for helping us raise children who know that their worth comes from Christ alone.
I hope this episode was valuable for you, and I pray you're walking away with a new insight, perspective, or idea to implement as you move forward. Remember that God makes everything we truly need available to us. The life you've prayed for is just waiting for you to take the next step. If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and leave us a review so that we can continue showing up and reaching families who need this message. Until next time, take care and stay blessed.
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Author
Katy Bordeaux is a Certified Parenting & Family Coach and the founder of both Covenant Collections and Kingdom Purpose Moms. Passionate about guiding families to thrive, Katy combines biblical wisdom with practical parenting strategies to help parents build strong, faith-filled homes. Connect with her for more resources and support on your parenting journey.
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