Raising Body-Confident Children: Supporting Positive Body Image with Anupa Roper

Raising body-confident children. Anupa Roper shares practical advice on supporting positive body image and self-worth on Liberté – Free to Be.I spend a lot of time talking about body confidence in women over 40 — but what about the next generation?In this episode of Liberté – Free to Be, I’m joined by Anupa Roper, also known as Sparrowlegs — a former primary school teacher, children’s author, body image educator and mum of two — to explore how we can support children and young people to grow up with healthier body image and self-worth.Do you worry about your child’s body image?Do you sometimes struggle with what to say — or not say — about bodies, food and appearance?Anupa understands this deeply. For years, she allowed the label “skinny” to shape her confidence, choices and sense of worth. Constant comments about her body — being told how small she was, questioned about whether she ate enough — left her feeling uncomfortable in her own skin. Today, she uses that lived experience to empower children and families to break free from body image pressures.In our conversation, Anupa shares:How body image issues can affect children of all body typesWhy comments we think are “harmless” can have lasting impactHow parents, carers and grandparents can model healthier languageThe importance of body neutrality and self-acceptance from an early ageHow to help children feel confident without focusing on appearanceWe also talk about the power of reclaiming labels. Anupa was nicknamed “Sparrowlegs” as a child — a name she once found hurtful, but now owns with pride. That journey inspired her beautifully illustrated children’s book Sparrowlegs, aimed at under-7s, about a young sparrow learning to love the feathers she’s in.It’s a gentle, powerful reminder that confidence isn’t about changing our bodies — it’s about changing the story we tell about them.Women like Anupa are creating a positive ripple effect for future generations. And all of us have a role to play — through awareness, compassion and the language we use every day.For Anupa, Free to Be means:“Being happy in our own skin — on the outside and inside. Learning to be comfortable with who we are, without pressure to be anyone else.”What does Free to Be mean to you?Visit Anupa’s website: www.sparrowlegs.comThank you for listening to the Liberté – Free to Be podcast. I hope this episode has left you feeling informed and inspired.If it has, I’d love you to join the ⁠⁠free Liberté Lifestyle Hub on Facebook⁠⁠,a growing community of over 300 women making new connections and supporting one another.Come and say hello on Instagram: ⁠⁠@libertefreetobe⁠⁠ ⁠⁠@rachelperu1⁠⁠If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, review and share — your support truly means the world to me. Keep beingfabulous Rachel xChildren’s Body Image, Body Confidence for Kids,Positive Body Image, Parenting and Body Image,Raising Confident Children,Body Image Education,Children’s Mental Wellbeing,Sparrowlegs Book, Anupa Roper,Body Neutrality, Self-Acceptance,Liberté – Free to Be Podcast