Studies show kids learn anti-fat bias earlier than you may think.
Get tips from therapists for how to respond or address it proactively.
Itslinked to anti-Blackness, racism, classism, misogyny, and other systems of oppression.
Breese Annable, PsyD, CEDS-S, is a therapist who specializes in eating disorders.
Megan Holt Hellner, RD, is head of nutrition and physical activity research atEquip.
Samantha Bickham, LMHC, is a therapist withChoosing Therapy.
Anna Tanner, MD, FAAP, FSAHM, CEDS-S, is the vice president for the department of child and adolescent medicine forThe Emily Program.
are widespread, theyre false.
Another study included inBody Imagefoundchildren under the age of six years old experience body dissatisfaction.
Further,22 percent of children and adolescents engage in disordered eating, andeating disorders are the second-deadliest mental illness.
None of this is okay.
But its not always that obvious.
Anti-fat bias is often learned in subtle and insidious ways, she continues.
Think Dudley in theHarry Potterseries and Mr. Waternoose inMonsters Inc.Those are only a couple of examples.
Kids can also sense when fat is used as an insult by adults and peers alike.
They also probably wont be able to recognize all the many ways in which its discussed and veiled.
Anna Tanner, MD, FAAP, FSAHM, CEDS-S, is the vice president for the department of child and adolescent medicine forThe Emily Program.
So how can you protect and prepare them as much as possible?
One book she loves isBodies Are CoolbyTyler Feder.
to combat the hierarchy that kids are taught, she emphasizes.
Examine your own attitudes and beliefs around weight, and specifically fatness, Hellner says.
Even if you arent ready to make changes, start by getting curious.
Its Amazing How Its All Connected.
Mirror the kind of self-talk you would like them to engage in, Tanner suggests.
Do not promote body dissatisfaction.
Sole-Smith points this out in her book, as well.
First, because their body now is just thattheir body now.
After all, not every thin kid grows up to be a thin adult, Sole-Smith writes.
Plus, the glorification of thinness is both fatphobic and harmful in its own way.
Thinness gradually became wrapped up in my sense of myself as a talented and successful person.
The (inaccurate) idea that thin is best can also hide and exacerbate eating disorders.
Over time, their behaviors became more disordered, turning into a full-blown eating disorder.
Thin privilege disguised my eating disorder for a long time, they said.
This will happen regardless of your actions, and is a great teachable opportunity to take advantage of.
(Without these moments, how will kids learn?)
In the heat of the moment, what do you do?
Listen to their concerns and hurt
So your child has justexperienced body shaming firsthand.
Keep on that same thread!
When kids, especially little ones, point out a persons body, I always say, Yep!
People come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors, huh?
saysHeather Clark, MA, LCPC, clinical director atRock Recovery.
After enjoying the movie together, consider starting an age-appropriate conversation.
Clark has done this with her own children after watching media promoting anti-fat bias.
Spoiler alert: We did NOT.
This work isnt easy or a one-and-done effort, but its necessary for everyones well-being.
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