Raising Body Confident Kids: Dr. Charlotte Markey on Body Image, Diet Culture & Social Media

On this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast host Lianne Castelino sits down with leading body image researcher Dr. Charlotte Markey, professor at Rutgers University and author of The Body Image Book for Girls, for a conversation about raising confident kids in a social media-saturated world.

With nearly 30 years of research on body image, eating behaviours, puberty, and mental health, Dr. Markey unpacks the unprecedented pressures facing today’s tweens and teens — especially girls aged 9 to 15 — as they navigate hormonal changes alongside relentless digital comparison. From influencer culture and device use to bullying and shifting weight-loss trends, she explains how cultural ideals can distort self-perception and contribute to dieting, disordered eating, and low self-worth.

This evidence-based discussion equips parents with tools to:

1. Recognize early warning signs of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating
2. Navigate puberty conversations beyond just physical changes
3. Build media literacy and resilience in the age of social media
4. Foster open communication about consent, relationships, and emotional health
5. Create a body-positive home environment without overemphasizing appearance
6. Understand when professional support may be needed

Dr. Markey also explores the lasting effects of the pandemic, the rise in eating disorder rates, and how parents’ own attitudes toward food and appearance shape their children’s beliefs.

If you’re raising a tween, teen, or young adult and want science-backed strategies to help them develop body confidence, independence, and emotional resilience in a world that often prioritizes image over well-being, this episode is essential listening.

Links referenced in this episode:

1. whereparentstalk.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

1. Rutgers University

This podcast is for parents, guardians, teachers and caregivers to learn proven strategies and trusted tips on raising kids, teens and young adults based on science, evidenced and lived experience.

You’ll learn the latest on topics like managing bullying, consent, fostering healthy relationships, and the interconnectedness of mental, emotional and physical health.