Quick Tips to Promote BodySense

  • Be a positive role model in your attitudes, values and behaviors on the topic of food, weight and body image.
  • Accept the varied and natural weight range, size and shape of athletes’ bodies.
  • Celebrate and compliment athletes’ positive qualities; who the athletes really are rather than how they perform or what they look like.
  • Make athletes of all shapes, weights and sizes visible (in sport photos, for example).
  • De-emphasize weight by not weighing athletes, comparing athletes’ bodies, or commenting on body size and shape.
  • Know the warning signs of negative body image and disordered eating and get help when requested.
  • Have a zero tolerance for teasing and discrimination, including body size discrimination.
  • Speak positively about bodies, food, weight and shape.
  • Be aware that negative comments have the power to impact an athlete for life.
  • Help athletes focus on their abilities rather than their appearance.
  • Teach that skills learned in one sport can be applied to other sports.
  • Say “Yes!” to eating food in all food groups in accordance with Canada’s Food Guide and “No!” to restricting foods or dieting to change body weight and shape.
  • Teach athletes that their bodies will gain weight, grow and change during puberty.
  • Create time and places for athletes to eat and drink fluids. Make energy-packed food and drinks available.
  • Allow athletes equal playing time.
  • Invite experts to deliver positive messages and answer questions about nutrition, body image, competition, body composition and performance.
  • Make individual and confidential help available.
  • Have up-to-date books, pamphlets and Internet sites available for parents, coaches and athletes on the topics of positive body image, nutrition, and disordered eating. (link to resources)
  • Make changes in your sport to match the ability of an athlete rather than making changes in an athlete’s body to better fit your sport.