The Dieting Craze Reaches Children
Kids pick up our values. So be careful what you’re passing on when it comes to the definition of physical attractiveness.
Guest (Male): With today’s Dr. Dobson Minute, here’s Dr. James Dobson.
Dr. James Dobson: Today’s emphasis on physical attractiveness and body consciousness is infectious. In fact, it's spreading to our young children. A study done at the University of California has shown that 80% of young girls in the fourth grade are attempting to diet because they see themselves as fat.
How sad it is that children in this culture have been taught to measure their worth by the characteristic of their physical bodies. Even at six years old, according to one study, silhouettes of an obese child were described by young children as lazy, stupid, and ugly.
Our children have caught our prejudices. We, too, measure human worth largely on a scale of physical attractiveness. It’s bad enough when we evaluate each other that way; it's tragic when millions of children have already concluded that they are hopelessly flawed even before life has gotten started.
Guest (Male): For more information on this topic, visit drdobsonminute.org.
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Featured Offer
Every marriage faces pressure. Busy schedules, financial stress, unmet expectations, poor communication, and unresolved conflicts can slowly create distance in a relationship. Many couples love each other deeply, yet feel stuck and are unsure how to reconnect and move forward in a healthy way.
Dr. James Dobson’s newly revised digital download, 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Marriage, offers:
- Clear, trusted guidance for navigating common marital challenges
- Encouragement for couples who feel stuck or disconnected
- A practical strategy for building a marriage that doesn’t just survive—but truly thrives
This free resource is designed to help you strengthen your relationship with clarity, hope, and confidence.
About Dr. Dobson Minute
Family Talk is a Christian non-profit organization located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Founded in 2010 by Dr. James Dobson, the ministry promotes and teaches biblical principles that support marriage, family, and child-development. Since its inception, Family Talk has served millions of families with broadcasts, monthly newsletters, feature articles, videos, blogs, books and other resources available on demand via its website, mobile apps, and social media platforms.
The Dr. James Dobson Family Institute (JDFI) is a Christian non-profit ministry located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Founded initially as Family Talk in 2010 by Dr. James Dobson, the organization promotes and teaches biblical principles that support marriage, family, and child development. Since its inception, Family Talk has served families with broadcasts, monthly newsletters, feature articles, videos, blogs, books, and other resources available on demand via their website, mobile apps, and social media platforms. In 2017, the ministry rebranded under JDFI to expand its four core ministry divisions consisting of the Family Talk radio broadcast, the Dobson Policy and Education Centers, and the Dobson Digital Library.
Dr. Dobson's flagship broadcast called, “Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk," is aired on more than 1,500 terrestrial radio outlets and numerous digital channels that reach millions each month.
About Dr. James Dobson
Dr. James Dobson is the Founder Chairman of the James Dobson Family Institute, a nonprofit organization that produces his radio program, “Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk.” He has an earned Ph.D. from the University of Southern California and holds 18 honorary doctoral degrees. He is the author of more than 70 books dedicated to the preservation of the family including, The New Dare to Discipline, Love for a Lifetime, Life on the Edge, Love Must Be Tough, The New Strong-Willed Child, When God Doesn't Make Sense, Bringing Up Boys, Bringing Up Girls, and, most recently, Your Legacy: The Greatest Gift. Dr. Dobson served as an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Southern California School of Medicine for 14 years and on the attending staff of Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles for 17 years in the divisions of Child Development and Medical Genetics. He has advised five U.S. presidents and served on eight national commissions. Dr. Dobson has been married to Shirley for 64 years, and they have two grown children, Danae and Ryan, and two grandchildren.
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