What to Say QA Series

Check out our new series!

As an adult who cares deeply about the children in your life, we know that you are doing your best to protect their physical and mental health by stopping diet & weight talk. This series provides answers to your everyday questions about supporting the health of kids through food and body. Engaging voices you can trust, WithAll gives you access to expert and relevant guidance and practical steps for supporting your kids health.
  • How can adults support boys who are struggling with their body image?

    Dr. Jason Nagata shares why it’s important to understand that boys struggle with body image just like girls, though sometimes it looks different.

    Dr. Nagata shares several red flags to look for in boys who might be struggling with body image. You can learn more signs to look for here. Based on Dr. Nagata’s advice, here’s some additional tips you can implement right away if you, like Mike, want to know what to say to strengthen the body image of a young man in your life:

    Encourage your son’s coach to partner with you in this effort by taking the What to Say Coaches Challenge – our email series with helpful tips and phrases for strengthening the body image of young athletes.

  • How can adults support girls who are struggling with their body image?

    Body image concerns are unfortunately very typical for girls. It is not a reflection of things going on at home or any one parent. (1:16)

    The pandemic has also exacerbated this issue for many. (1:41)

    Avoid making appearance-related comments. Make it clear to your kids that you value them for more than just how they look. (2:08)

    Help kids focus on what their bodies can do and how their bodies allow them to live their lives. (4:00)

    Talk to kids about social media. Encourage them to follow accounts that support their development, not just friends, celebrities, and influencers. (4:46)

    To go deeper on this topic, you can find Dr. Markey’s book, The Body Image Book for Girls, on Amazon – remember to shop using Amazon Smile choose WithAll as your charity of choice.

  • How can adults show kids how to love/appreciate the body we each live in?

    Even when you think kids aren’t listening, they are. (0:50)

    Be mindful of the words you use around kids, and let them know that we don’t talk negatively about our bodies (01:12)

    Model positive self-talk and self-affirmations. (02:18)

    As adults, it’s normal to have moments where we struggle with our body image. (03:18)

    Find things you love about yourself and remind yourself often about all the amazing things our bodies can do. Model this for your kids. (03:32)

    We all have off days. Show your kids that it’s okay to reach out and ask for help or simply to understand that you’re not alone. (04:52)

  • What do I do when someone tells my child they need to gain or lose weight for health?

    What to ask your doctor if they recommend weight loss or gain (1:11)

    Changes in weight during childhood are normal (1:30)

    Tips for encouraging movement without focusing on weight (2:03)

    Tips for encouraging eating habits without focusing on weight (3:30)

  • Can I really trust my kid to eat healthy?

    As adults, our role is to choose what foods are offered and when and where they are provided.

    As children, their role (which we can trust them to do) is to decide how much to eat, whether they will eat it and in what order they will eat it.

    Practical ways to handle meal and snack times from a parent like you. (Spoiler alert: no one gets this “exactly right.” It’s about doing the best you can & being flexible along the way).

Have a Question You Want Answered?

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P.S. -This form can also be used to submit suggestions for experts, advocates, professionals, or others you think would make great contributors to our Q&A Series!

What to Say Coaches Challenge

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Take The Pledge

THE PLEDGE: I believe that words matter. I want to make a positive impact on the kids in my life by stopping harmful diet and weight talk. I am committed to making sure that every child gets a chance to develop healthy relationships with food and body.

 









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Shannon assists with the logistics of development and operations and making every day run as smoothly as possible. Her day-to-day focuses on our Recovery Support Program, budget management, events, and administrative support. She enjoys being part of the nonprofit world and finding ways to help enhance the organization. She has a heart for serving others and helping people succeed.

Shannon has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Health & Exercise Science from Gustavus Adolphus College and a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from Walden University.

Outside of work, you can find Shannon chasing her two girls around, attending sporting events and finding the next brewery or winery to explore.

Lindsay leads our operations, programming, fundraising, and communications to better fulfill our mission. She enjoys engaging with our supporters and stakeholders to build stronger connections to our work. Outside the office, you can find her planning her next trip, exploring the Twin Cities, or reading her book club’s latest pick.

With ten years of experience in nonprofit and foundation administration, Lindsay is a creative project manager working to strengthen all our operations. She loves being a part of a team deeply dedicated to discovering innovative and effective strategies to end eating disorders and is excited to invite others into this important work. Efficient and collaborative, she executes activity across all operations, including fundraising, events, communications, and programming. Lindsay has a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul, and a fundraising certificate from the University of St. Thomas. She and her family live in Richfield, MN.

As Executive Director, Lisa leads WithAll’s strategic growth as a sustainable social enterprise dedicated to the prevention of and healing from eating disorders.

Lisa has more than 20 years of experience in public affairs, community relations, and law, and nearly 15 years of experience in non-profit leadership, most recently at Minnesota Public Radio/American Public Media. She is a graduate of Mitchell Hamline School of Law, a member of the Minnesota Bar, and a Minnesota Supreme Court appointee to Minnesota’s Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board. She volunteers with her daughter’s school and with youth sports.

Lisa does this work because she knows eating disorders are not a choice; they are deadly, and they are everywhere. She also knows kids are not born with harmful thoughts and actions around food or their body—and it’s our job as adults to keep it this way so they can focus their precious brains and time on things that matter.

Lisa finds laughter, all children, and the numerous variations of sparkling water to be delightful.