The following articles are written by faculty and staff of the NYU Child Study Center to help parents and teachers of children on the brink of adolescence—or 'tweens, as they are often called—better respond to the self-image and self-esteem issues that often arise at this age.

Mirror, Mirror On the Wall: How to Raise Girls with Healthy Self-Esteem
This article looks at internal and external pressures that can cause young girls' self-esteem to drop as they transition from pre-teen to teen and provides ways parents can prevent this slide from happening.

Adolescents and Body Image: What's Typical and What's Not (PDF)
This CSC Letter looks at the meaning and development of body image and distinguishes normal dissatisfaction with one's body with more serious disorders. Treatment options are also discussed.

Developing Healthy Eating Behaviors
This article focuses on ways for parents to help children develop healthy eating behaviors, such as avoiding using food as a punishment or a reward, emphasizing mealtimes (not just meals), and being alert media consumers.

Sports and Kids: Pathway to Healthy Development or to Unhealthy Competition?
This article looks at the impact of sports in the lives of children and adolescents. Participating in sports can enhance self-esteem, decrease anxiety and depression, and promote social interaction. The article also addresses specific benefits for girls who participate in sports.

Preventing Eating Disorders (PDF)
This article outlines steps parents can take to help their children develop a healthy attitude toward their bodies and cultivate healthy eating habits. Issues such as responding to a child who says she/he is fat and when to seek professional help are also addressed.

How to Raise an Educated Consumer
Aggressive marketing of fast food, candy, and soft drinks does contribute to the growing population of overweight youth. Learn how you can sharpen your child's consumer awareness at all ages.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a time-consuming and potentially disabling preoccupation with imagined or slight defects in one's appearance or excessive concern about a slight physical anomaly. This article offers examples of BDD, treatment options, ways to tell if your adolescent might be suffering from this disorder, and answers to other frequently asked questions.