Weight Bias Information for Parents

Weight Bias Information for Parents

As parents, you influence what happens in your family. You can also influence what happens at your child’s school. Check out the school environment to make sure it’s safe and healthy for all students. Ask school administrators, classroom teachers and health services staff:

• What kind of rules and policies does the school have about teasing and bullying? How are these policies enforced?
• How are teachers and school staff trained to deal with teasing and bullying?
• How do parents and students learn about school rules and policies?

You may or may not know if your child is a target of weight bias. Some warning signs might include:8

• Being teased about weight by peers and/or family members
• Being very sensitive about weight or avoiding talking about it
• Not wanting to go to school or participate in school activities
• Being self-conscious about appearance and how clothes fit
• Being self-conscious about taking part in physical activities
• Being sad or depressed
• Having few friends
• Bullying others –kids who are bullied or teased might bully or tease others

If your child shows any of these signs it may or may not be due to weight bias. Whatever the reason, it’s important to follow up with your child. Talking about weight bias can be difficult. As a parent you naturally want to protect your child from being teased or bullied no matter what it’s about. If you need help, talk to your child’s teacher, the school nurse or other health care providers.

For more information about these topics, Link to:

Is Your Child a Target of Weight Bias

How to Talk to Your Child about Weight Bias

Parents: Talking to your kids about weight bias

Most information presented here was adapted from materials developed by the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at

References:

1. Washington, R.L. Childhood obesity: issues of weight bias. Preventing Chronic Disease 2011;8(5):A94.

2. Weight Bias is a Major Reason that Students are Bullied in Schools: A Fact Sheet on School Climate. Accessed at

3. Weight Bias: School Climate and Bullying. Accessed at

4. Teaching Tolerance. Understanding size bias.A conversation with Rebecca Puhl. Accessed at

5. Tips for Reducing Weight Bias. Accessed at

6. Ways for Parents to Combat Weight Bias. Accessed at

7. Teachers: How to Address Weight Bias in your classroom. Accessed at AddressWeightBiasinYourClassroom.pdf

8. Is Your Child a Target of Weight Bias? Accessed at