Navigating the Psychological Impact of Percentiles, BMI, and Body Image in Children

Join us on this eye-opening episode of Birth, Baby! Podcast as we delve into the complex world of pediatric health with Dr. Mona from PedsDocTalk. In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Mona sheds light on the psychological impact of obsessing over our kids' weight, exploring the implications of percentiles, BMI, and body image on children's mental and emotional well-being.

In a society that often equates thinness with health and beauty, the pressure to monitor our children's weight can be overwhelming. But what are the consequences of this obsession? Dr. Mona unravels the intricate relationship between societal norms, parental concerns, and children's self-perception.

Through candid conversation, we uncover the limitations of percentiles and BMI as measures of health and discuss how they can inadvertently contribute to negative body image and disordered eating behaviors in children. Dr. Mona offers invaluable insights into shifting the focus away from weight and towards promoting a positive relationship with food and body for our children.

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or healthcare provider, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the complexities of raising happy, healthy children in a weight-obsessed world. Tune in to gain valuable perspective and actionable advice from Dr. Mona and empower yourself to prioritize your child's holistic well-being.

Dr. Mona Amin is a Board-Certified General Pediatrician, IBCLC, online parenting educator, and mother. She has been featured in The New York Times, Time Magazine, Good Morning America, Parents.com, and ABC Nightly News. Through her brand PedsDocTalk, her goal is to provide relatable and easy-to-digest guidance for the modern parent regarding child health, development, and parenting.

Her platform aims to guide parents in a mindful way to bring more confidence and calm into their parenting journey. To learn more, visit:


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Intro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!
  • (00:00) - Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast
  • (02:08) - The Problematic Approach to Pediatric Weight
  • (09:51) - Understanding Percentiles and Their Implications
  • (17:48) - The Limitations of BMI in Children
  • (24:02) - Creating Positive Body Image and Healthy Relationships with Food
Navigating the Psychological Impact of Percentiles, BMI, and Body Image in Children
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