I caught up with model, spokesperson, and television personality Emme today, shortly after she and child psychologist Ruth Peters appeared on our show. =169059ff-b694-453d-b3f1-3ff2e23445a1">WATCH VIDEO. Emme has a new children's book out called "What Are You Hungry For? Feed Your Tummy and Your Heart," which is intended to encourage dialogue about body image between parents and their kids. She feels very passionately about this topic:
Q: WHAT PRESSURES DID YOU FEEL GROWING UP ABOUT BODY IMAGE?
EMME: When I was growing up, I always felt that I should be the same weight as the other girls in the class, without even considering the fact that I was a foot taller than they were. There was no education, no knowledge, no outreach in schools about body diversity. So I kept looking around wishing that I could wear what other girls were wearing, but was never able to find it in my size. And I was very athletic, but just happened to be a bigger size. So I grew up always thinking "Why can't I."
I also grew up with parents who dieted a lot, and were a little obsessive about diets. So I learned from them NOT to eat for the joy of eating -- it was all about calculating every little bite. I think that what you grow up with really shapes your attitude towards food. We should be sure to eat nutritiously, but also enjoy the food, enjoy the company, and enjoy the environment that food can foster.
Q: WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE AND PRESSURE FACING YOUNG GIRLS TODAY? WHAT DO YOU WORRY ABOUT IN RAISING YOUR DAUGHTER?
EMME: I think one of the biggest challenges is that everyone is trying to be the images that they seen in videos, in magazines, and in models. No matter how often they try to even the playing field, and show "normal" body types, we still have the imagery that the advertisers put out there, and that the airwaves, movies, and magazines promote. We need real body diversity across the board -- and not just with weight. I'm talking about color and texture of skin as well. Everyone is very white, very thin, and very Barbi-doll like.
The environment in which kids are growing up polarizes us for a variety of reasons. First, we have a real problem with kids living in families with parents who are obsessed with a quick fix diet. They aren't learning proper nutrition that way. Secondly, parents pass these issues along to their kids. So if parents eat processed foods and have their kids eating processed foods that are supposedly giving them a leg up in the weight battles, they are actually doing them a disservice... Because that means that bodies do not metabolize the foods well and you will ultimately start packing on weight if you shift your diet slightly. We're always eating on the run, and not eating healthy foods from our own kitchens. And lastly, we have issues with certain fad diets, and with parents not taking care of their own bodies and then passing these body image problems on to their kids. Hopefully, this generation will scratch their heads and wake up, and realize that it's OK to talk about body diversity. There's so much more research on the topic today.
Q: WHAT MADE YOU FOCUS ON THIS ISSUE AS SOMETHING TO WRITE ABOUT? WHERE DO YOU WANT YOUR WORK IN THIS AREA TO GO?
EMME: I feel very strongly that kids should be kids, and not worry constantly about fat. It's innate for a kid to want to eat something that will taste delicious. When parents eat well, their kids eat well. We want to show that foods can heal. We need to live less toxically. We have so many issues with obesity and disease and anorexia, and it all stems from body issues. Kids shouldn't be so concerned with the newest body shape and what not. Things come at our kids so quickly, and there's so much at stake for them. We need to get back to the basics, and help them be as good as they can be.
There is so much compulsive overeating and binging and purging in our society... and these fad diets that lead us to gain weight back as soon as we go off them. You are so much happier when you are your own natural body size, and you are exercising, eating well and practicing good fitness.
Q: WHAT ELSE ARE YOU UP TO?
EMME: I've got a couple other things up my sleeve, but nothing for sure. I'm just taking a bit of a hiatus and spending some time with my family and enjoying the summer. But there will be more books coming out... definitely more children's' books about the issues that are hitting kids nowadays. I have a little one [5 1/2 year old daughter] and the things she tells me astound me. She's always asking about these issues -- body image and such. All the kids are talking about it. So I just tell her to be what she will be, do her best, and that's all. And I'm thankful that I've lived the live that I have lived in order to be able to answer these questions! There's so much pressure on these sweet little things. We can't ruin another generation with low self-esteem.