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Some children are overweight - how do we talk to them about it?

Children which have obesity problems are often facing discrimination and reproach from colleagues, educators or even their parents. If it’s not addressed at the right time, as they age things can get out of control which can lead to various disorders related to their own body and the environment.

In a randomized study of 4,746 students (grades VII-XII), 30% of girls and 24.7% of boys reported that they had been subjected to inappropriate behavior by their peers, and 25.7% of girls and 16.1 % of the boys where subject of reproaches made by a family member

Experiencing stigma is sometimes straightforward, like being called names, while other times can be completely unintentional. For example, remarks made with the intention of being constructive, but are done in a totally inappropriate way or without moral support.

Children who are overweight are often subject of discrimination and face communication problems on with their parents experience more anxiety, loneliness, low self-esteem, depressive episodes and a poorly developed relationship with oneself.

Children who struggle with shame report that they eat more or unhealthy foods in much higher quantities and do less physical activity.

Being bullied or harassed makes it difficult for them to attend classes and participate in physical education or sports, thus, they are more prone to continuous weight gain.

What can be done?

Humiliation, discrimination, reproaches and heated discussions about weight are not the right approach for reducing obesity among children and will not motivate the children to lead a healthier life.

Inappropriate discussions about being overweight may include comments from parents about how they feed themselves or their own weight, the weight of others around them, or teasing about it. All these things do not bring positive results.

Instead of using dissatisfaction with physical appearance as a motivation for change, we as parents should help our children to develop a proper relationship with their body so that they can eat properly, engage in daily physical activity, and have a positive relationship with themselves.

Food concepts or body weight should be presented in a favorable and positive light, and negative messages about weight, fast food, unhealthy eating, overweight, obesity and other terms that could be used negatively should be avoided.

Families should provide a friendly environment, making it easier for the child to commit to a healthy eating and to promote physical activity-oriented behaviors.

For example, having a constant supply of vegetables and fruits in the house which should be visible and in reach, not having a TV in the bedroom, and parents behaving as they would like to see their children behave. That's right, the parents leading by example is the most encouraging thing for children!

Let's act concretely and correctly!

1. reproaches about the extra weight made by the educators / parents / schoolmates, do not motivate in any way overweight to pursue their optimal weight;

2. discrimination and dissatisfaction with one's body are not motivating factors for a healthy lifestyle;

3. excessive discussions about weight at home (parents' comments about personal weight or other family members / entourage, the child's urge to follow a diet) may increase the risk of eating disorders and obesity;

4. negative messages about weight, food and physical activity should be replaced with positive ones that promote health;

5. recent studies have shown that overweight / childhood obesity treatment programs are not associated with psychological impairment. The intervention should focus on health and healthy behaviors, be supervised by a nutritionist, should involve both parents and last for at least 12 weeks;

6. existing studies show that nutritional intervention in overweight or childhood obesity is not associated with the development of eating disorders or other pathologies.