Children and Weight Bullying
Children dealing with weight or obesity already have a lot on their shoulders at a young age.
When they go to school they may also be dealing with weight bullying. The former may actually have a worse long-term effect on their weight.
According to a study published in the journal Pediatric Obesity, a child being bullied at school for their weight has a increased chance of weight gain throughout their lives.
The author of the study, Natasha Schvey, says, “There’s this school of thought that says [weight-based] teasing might have a motivating effect on youth,” but, “This study shows that that’s not only not true but that teasing might increase weight gain over time.”
How a Child Being Teased at School Could Affect Future Weight
The study took 110 students who were overweight or who had parents that were overweight.
In the first interview with the students they asked if they had dealt with weight bullying at school.
61% of the children who were overweight had dealt with bullying, while 21% of at risk children said the same.
Researches followed the children anywhere from 8.5 to 15 years. What the researchers found was that children that had experienced the most teasing had gained 33% more body mass on average.
Besides weight gain, children that experienced this type of bullying were more likely to experience other types of negative health affects. The children reported increased body dissatisfaction and increased level of cortisol (stress hormone).
How Adults Might Also Be Adding to the Weight Bullying
For many children the bullying doesn’t end at school.
Many parents, teachers, and even health care providers may add to the bullying. Although these adults may have good intentions the best way to prevent and help children in this situation is teaching kids strategies to cope and overcome the bullying that they face.
Bullying Help for Parents
Top 3 Ways to Help Kids with Bullying
- Remind your children that bullying is never okay. Make sure that they understand that others have differences and that they also don’t deserve that type of treatment.
- Make sure that you kid has a trusted adult that they can reach out to when they are being bullied. This could be you, a trusted relative, or even a teacher.
- Inform the school about the bullying and try to get the school to involved.
Advice for Children
- Stay in a group. Safety in numbers.
- Find an activity outside of school that you enjoy
- Tell your friends and trusted adults
Advice for Parents
- Spend time with your child and make sure that they know they are important.
- Make sure that you remind your child of their personal strengths and what makes them special not just to you.