Explain how those images are manipulated - designers are able to airbrush cellulite and wrinkles, crop out bulges, make breasts larger, and basically remodel a woman's body. Carry that message of unrealistic images over to her playthings, like Barbies, who are completely disproportionate. It may not make sense to a 3-year-old, but it's never too early to plant the seed. As they mature, try to expose daughters to a mix of activities instead of just dance or other "girly" pursuits. {relatedarticles}Up to 40 percent of girls begin dieting by age 10, and 57 percent say they want to lose weight because of what they've seen in magazines - a frightening statistic that makes it even more important to help girls understand that there are different body types. Shift the focus from dieting to healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle. Help your tween or teen girl understand that her self-esteem shouldn't lie in her looks alone, and reinforce that idea by monitoring your own comments. A mom who is positive about her own body is better equipped to raise a daughter who's confident about hers.