The Stigmatization Of Overweight Children

Overweight children suffer socially as well as physically. They might get teased at school and ostracized by peers, which can lead to low self-esteem and eating more to cope, resulting in a vicious cycle. This is not to send the message that overweight children need to lose weight so that peers will stop making fun of them.

The reason they need to lose weight is because they are potentially at risk for diabetes, heart disease and stroke as they become older. And peers have no right to pick on them because this stigmatizes overweight children and rests the blame solely on their shoulders, as if being overweight is their entire fault because they’re the ones who are making the decision to eat more and exercise less. While we do have free will and we make our own choices, these choices are heavily influenced by what’s around us. Parents set an example for their kids and their eating habits strongly impact how and what their children eat.