For Immediate Release: May 20, 2026
Media Contact: Kyle Casteel – Media Lead
Communication Office │ Department of Health
802-863-7280 │ [email protected]
New resources help build kids’ confidence around food, movement, and body image
WATERBURY, VT — Children begin forming ideas about food and their bodies as early as preschool – and the messages they hear every day can shape how they feel about themselves as they grow.
Studies show that among kids ages 6-8, half of girls and about one-third of boys already wish their bodies were smaller or thinner. Adults don't always realize how the language we use at home, in school, in sports, in the media and in everyday conversations can contribute to body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem.
A new resource, Confident Kids, offers guidance and tools for families, coaches, educators, health care providers and more to help kids develop more positive relationships with food and movement. The website and outreach efforts result from work by the Vermont Departments of Health and Mental Health in alignment with the recommendations of the 2023 Eating Disorders Working Group.
"Parents and caregivers are doing their best to raise confident kids, but the guidance out there can be overwhelming," said Dr. Haley McGowan, a parent and Medical Director of the Child, Adolescent and Family Unit at the Department of Mental Health. "None of us can get it right all of the time. The goal is to offer easy, practical tips for everyday conversations with our kids.”
Small shifts in our conversations can have a big impact on kids. For example, rather than discouraging junk food, adults can encourage a mix of different foods that can be enjoyed without shame or guilt. Adults can also talk about movement as something that supports health, reduces stress and brings joy, rather than something that can change how we look.
“We are excited to support parents and caregivers who want the best for the children in their lives,” said Ilisa Stalberg, director of the Health Department’s Division of Family and Child Health. “By being intentional about how we approach these topics, we can help children grow strong—physically, emotionally, and socially—and build confidence that lasts a lifetime.”
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