My 11 year old sister asked me to help put her on strict a diet?!
Question: My 11 year old sister asked me to help put her on strict a diet?
I know exactly how she feels, when I was 14 I was really overweight, but I lost it all. I used to feel weird and to big to fit in. Shes not overweight, but she is pretty tall for her age and a bit more developed then most of the girls at her school. She also said that one of the girls called her a "fat cow." That stung, I'm a bit protective. But my question is what to do with her? Shes not overweight at all, and she's only 11?! I'm 16, I can't put her on a diet, i don't want to or need to in anyway. I don't want any of the girls to keep calling her names or bullying her. What do I do? I'll probably tell our mom soon, but she's going to freak out on her. I told her that what she's eating now is healthy, but she said "Ashley (her friend) to her that if she wants to lose weight she needs to skip eating lunch or dinner." yeah, I don't know how to get through to her that her friends and the other girls at school don't know what they're talking about.
(I just want to make it clear, she's not overweight she just has a very low self esteem, how can I help boost it?)
Answers:
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
I would say just talk to her and tell her that a diet is not ok. Esspesily her age because her body changes altot. If kids keep bullying her then let her talk to the teacher or the princaple about it. Tell her nobody is perfect and she looks fine the way she is. Hope this helps.
Tell her that her body moves at it's own pace. You should tell her your story about when you were 14, and say that her body needs those nutrients or else she may become servilely ill. you should also tell her that because she's tall ,she may see that she seems fat but really isn't , because of her long body.
maybe you and your mom can sit down together and talk and ask your mom not top freak out and together talk to your sister if she continues to feel this way your mom might want to consider taking her to therapy so she doesnt develop an eating disorder
answer mine please
This is a tough subject. I do suggest telling an adult (maybe your father, since your mother will freak out?), but if you don't want to do that yet... maybe show her some pictures of gorgeous curvy celebrities. Show her beautiful women of all different shapes and sizes. The reason she thinks she is too big is because of the media, and because pretty girls are almost always portrayed as skinny underweight sticks.
Show her articles written by doctors about puberty. How there are many different body types. Some might be skinny, another might be stocky, another might be curvy... You can't change your body type. That's who you are, no matter what exercises you do.
Lastly, show her scary pictures of anorexic women. Let her know that these anorexic girls did what she's considering doing: they starved themselves, didn't eat lunch or dinner, and turned into skeletons.
Most of all, it sounds like she needs support and love. Just let her know that you love her and find her absolutely beautiful the way she is.
If none of this works, be firm with her, and let her know that you will in no way help put her on a strict diet, and if this goes on, you'll tell your parents about it.