Why this episode of Bluey has been criticized by some parents and body image experts

Key Point

The opening scene of Bluey’s new episode has been criticized online by concerned parents.
Some say the scene of Bluey’s parents weighing in sends a harmful message to children.
Others say it simply reflects reality and that parents should be allowed to worry about their weight.

It is an Australian children’s television show that is loved by many.

However, the opening scene of Bluey’s new episode has drawn criticism online, with some saying it sends a harmful message to children.

The episode, titled Exercise, begins with Bluey’s father Bandit and mother Chili weighing themselves in the bathroom and expressing dissatisfaction with the numbers displayed on the scale in full view of the children.

Looking at their bodies in the mirror and grabbing their bellies, Bandit tells the kids they need to get some exercise, seemingly correlating their weight and appearance with their overall health.

Parents were divided over the episode on social media, with some saying it was simply a reflection of reality and that it could seriously damage a child’s body image. Some people argued that

Pediatric nutritionist Kyla Ringrose was among those at the scene who expressed their disappointment.

“I’m a huge Bluey fan, but it really made me sick to see Bandit and Chili weighing themselves in front of their kids and openly hating their bodies,” she wrote on Instagram.

“Bluey is great at developing relationships with his parents, and I love it, but they are equally progressive and aware of current social issues, and this episode really misses the point.

“Kids don’t need to see their parents hate their bodies or work out to lose weight. They missed a big opportunity here.”

Many shared Ms. Ringrose’s concerns, but others disagreed. Parents should be allowed to worry about their weight if necessary, and they should She said she struggled to fit exercise into her caregiving responsibilities. Issues addressed in the episode.

According to the Butterfly Foundation, a charity for people affected by eating disorders and body image issues, children begin forming a sense of their body image around the age of four. Around the age of six, children may begin to have negative perceptions of their bodies.

“That’s the age when the foundations of body image really begin to form and you can move on for the rest of your life in terms of how you think about your body,” says body image expert and manager Stephanie. Damiano says.of Said.

“We know that parents, families and child role models can have an impact. We know that the media and their peers can also have a huge impact.”

As someone with a history of eating disorders, feminist content creator Lauren Beckman said seeing an episode of a children’s TV show using scales and weight loss “as motivation for exercise” was a “trigger.” “It is said that it became

“We can do better for our children and break the negative association between exercise and weight loss and how we look rather than how we feel.” she wrote on Instagram.

“There are many other reasons to exercise, which should not be tied to the numbers on the scale or the resulting ‘need’ to exercise that number indicates.

“I don’t want my daughter to be exposed to this kind of relationship between weight and exercise. Let’s not spread the weight stigma.” to our children. we owe them that. “

Damiano says it takes just one “problematic” episode of Bluey, a culmination of negative messages from TV, movies, books, social media, home and school, for a child to develop an eating disorder. Unlikely.

“Wherever behaviors and attitudes known to be problematic are normalized, they can negatively impact a child’s relationship with their body, exercise, and food,” she said.

“The need to check and exercise our bodies because we are not happy with them is actually a disorganized way of thinking and acting, so we can strengthen that thought or I don’t want to normalize that thinking for the sake of my children.

“In fact, anything that equates weight with self-esteem is problematic. So does some content. For example.”

Ringrose said she “liked” the episode’s message about parents being positively involved with their children, but said it could have been conveyed in a different opening scene.

“I agree that exercise certainly has benefits and is good for our health, but exercising to change our appearance is not the message I want my kids to get,” she said. is writing

“If an episode is reworked and Bandit is losing energy in the first 30 seconds or Chili is feeling a little down and they decide to put some movement in to make them feel better, I is very much in favor of it.”

How can parents support a positive body image?

Ms Damiano said there are three main things adults can do to promote positive body images in children in their lives.

First, she recommends positive body image role models for adults.

“So instead of talking negatively about their bodies and lowering their bodies, instead of saying, ‘I’m going to the gym to lose weight,’ it’s about going to the gym for heart health and muscle building.” I’m talking about stretching out,” she said.

“It’s like a role model for language and behavior.”

You should also avoid commenting on your child’s body or the food they are eating.

“The big thing we want to avoid is making fun of appearances. We know this happens a lot in families where it’s often meant with love and affection. Children’s bodies are changing.” Because of that, it tends to occur the most,” Damiano said.

“I don’t want to say things like, ‘If you eat that, you’ll get fat,’ or tell your kids to lose weight or go on a diet. You’re doing them harm.”

Adults need to help children realize that they are more than their bodies, and they look just like them.

“It helps celebrate who they are, what their interests are, what their strengths are, what makes them unique, but also to what their bodies can do for them,” Damiano said. Helps develop gratitude.

“In this regard, one of my favorite destinations, especially with younger children, is to say at the end of the day, ‘I loved what you did with your body today, or what your body can do for you today. What happened?”

“It helps you understand that your body is so much more than it looks and that bodies of all abilities can do amazing things.”

SBS News reached out to Bluey’s production company, Ludo Studio, for comment.