Childhood Obesity

Why is it that girls get such a bad look for being overweight so early, while boys do not? I remember in kindergarten, yes kindergarten, seeing girls getting looked down upon by their classmates because they were alittle bigger than the other girls, yet I do not remember the bigger boys getting picked on as often or to the same extent. When little boys are bigger you hear people say, "Oh, you have yourself a linebacker!", "A football player.", A bruiser.". When a girl is bigger they get dirty looks. Sometimes the parents get dirty looks too. It is a sad but true fact. I believe that stopping this starts with the parents. They should try to teach their children that it does not matter what size you are and also teach good eating habits. When I say to teach them that size does not matter I do not mean let them eat what they want and let them get as big as they want because it does not matter. I just mean teach them not to make fun of others who are larger. Also, be sure to teach good eating habits. This will help your children be a healthy weight to begin with.

I have seen how hurtful teasing can be. In school I had afew friends who were larger get hurtful things said to them. Children who are the ideal weight make fun of the children who are considered overweight and this can cause alot of damage to a child's self esteem. Many eating disorders result from being teased also. I believe that many of the children who become the teasers have heard their parents calling people fat. Many people say things like that about people on television, but you have to remember that your children pick up on these type of things. It starts with the parents. If you hear your child acting this way it is your job to try to correct it. Teach your children what is right and what is wrong.