parents influence body image

There is a new interview out in Oprah magazine and CNN.com asking 4 women about their parent's impact on their body image.

Margaret Cho (comedian) states, "My father ... one time when I was maybe 9 years old and dancing in ballet -- I loved it -- he said after a recital, "You're the fattest ballerina." It so destroyed me that I never wanted to dance again. He wanted to prepare me for a world that was not going to accept me because I think he experienced so much racism. He'd say, 'You're not pretty. And you're not going to be pretty.' I absolutely believed him."

Tiffany Jackson (professional basketball player)states, "I was always taller than everybody else. In the eighth grade, all the guys were shorter than me. My mom told me always walk with my head up, I'm beautiful. She gave me such positive messages when it came to my body. She'd tell me, 'Walk in the room like you own the room.' And then I'd complain, 'People are staring at me.' She'd say, 'No, you're beautiful. That's why they're looking at you.' I think after a while that just kind of stuck with me."

It's not a surprise that children are heavily impacted by their parent's statements and behaviors.

So my question is: What messages are you giving your children about their bodies?