Messages children hear about bodies shape how children see themselves and others. As part of Pennington Biomedical Research Center’s Small Shifts Campaign, we’re sharing practical tips on how adults can help reduce weight stigma and support children’s overall health.
Understanding weight bias and stigma can help us choose words and actions that make children feel respected and safe in their everyday environment.
Weight bias is when people have unfair judgements or ideas about someone because of their body size. For example, they may assume a child carrying extra weight eats “bad,” is not physically active, or is lazy.
Weight stigma happens when those ideas lead to hurtful actions, such as name-calling, teasing, excluding someone, or treating them differently because of their weight. These can be easy to see. Other times, weight stigma is harder to notice.
Weight stigma may look like this:
Children listen, even when comments are not about them.
Childhood obesity is complex. Many things can affect a child’s weight, including their genes, biology, their surroundings, and family routines. Having access to healthy foods, getting enough physical activity and sleep, and mental health play an important role too.
Body size alone does not tell the whole story about a child’s health, habits, or what a child can do. Yet children carrying extra weight often face unfair labels, such as “lazy” or “lacking self-control.”
Research shows that weight stigma can affect a child’s emotional well-being. Low self-esteem, poor body image, anxiety, and depression can lead to unhealthy eating habits and feeling alone. Some children may also avoid physical activity or doctor visits, creating barriers to the care and support they need.
Adults can help reduce weight stigma wherever children learn, play, and receive care.
Children learn from how adults talk about food and their own bodies. Criticizing your own appearance or commenting on someone else’s weight can teach children that some bodies are “better.”
Instead, focus family conversations on habits that help everyone’s health:
Before making a comment on your body, pause and ask: “Is this how I want my child to talk about their own body?”
Children should feel safe learning, playing, and joining in. Weight-based bullying can include name-calling, jokes, rumors, cyberbullying (bullying that happens online), or leaving someone out.
Teachers, coaches, and school staff can help by taking weight-based teasing seriously and avoiding assumptions about a child’s abilities based on their body size.
They can also ask:
A healthier school is one where every child belongs.
Checking growth and weight is part of a healthcare visit but how weight is talked about matters.
Healthcare providers can ask permission before discussing weight, use respectful language, and listen to families’ concerns. Visits should focus on overall health, not just the number on the scale.
The office space matters, too. Chairs, gowns, and cuffs should fit a range of body sizes.
Families should feel supported and leave a visit without blame or shame. For more guidance, explore Greaux Healthy’s Weight Bias and Stigma handout.
You don’t need perfect words every time. Start by noticing the messages you send.
Supporting health and reducing stigma go hand-in-hand.
Parents, caregivers, teachers, coaches, and healthcare providers can all help children understand that their worth does not come from their appearance or the number on the scale. Everyday conversations can support healthy habits, confidence, and well-being. This helps every child grow up healthy.
Explore Greaux Healthy resources for families, educators, and healthcare providers to learn more about supporting children’s health and building healthier conversations.
ResourceDeveloped in partnership with the Pennington Biomedical Behavior and Technology Laboratory, this handout provides information to parents and caregivers on weight stigma and how to reduce the impact of weight stigma.
ResourceDeveloped in partnership with the Pennington Biomedical Behavior and Technology Laboratory, this booklet for parents and caregivers defines weight stigma, provides examples and effects of weight stigma, and offers guidance on how to reduce the impact of weight stigma.
ResourceDeveloped in partnership with the Pennington Biomedical Behavior and Technology Laboratory, this handout provides information on weight stigma and how to reduce the impact of weight stigma.
ResourceDeveloped in partnership with the Pennington Biomedical Behavior and Technology Laboratory, this booklet defines weight stigma, provides examples and effects of weight stigma, and offers guidance on how to reduce the impact of weight stigma.
ResourceDeveloped in partnership with the Pennington Biomedical Behavior and Technology Laboratory, this handout provides information to educators on weight stigma and how to reduce the impact of weight stigma.
ResourceDeveloped in partnership with the Pennington Biomedical Behavior and Technology Laboratory, this booklet for educators defines weight stigma, provides examples and effects of weight stigma, and offers guidance on how to reduce the impact of weight stigma.
ResourceDeveloped in partnership with the Pennington Biomedical Behavior and Technology Laboratory, this handout provides information to healthcare providers on weight stigma and how to reduce the impact of weight stigma.
ResourceDeveloped in partnership with the Pennington Biomedical Behavior and Technology Laboratory, this booklet for healthcare providers defines weight stigma, provides examples and effects of weight stigma, and offers guidance on how to reduce the impact of weight stigma.
Pennington Biomedical’s Small Shifts Campaign and Greaux Healthy work together to help families build healthier habits one step at a time. At Pennington Biomedical Research Center, we believe that big changes start with small steps. Whether it’s getting more sleep, drinking more water, being physically active, or making healthier food choices, every small shift can lead to big results.
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