Approaching conversations in a kind and supportive way can help children and young people feel good about their bodies.
The most important thing is that your child feels able to talk to you.
Some people prefer not to use the word ‘weight’ but to talk about growth, health, exercise or healthy eating. If this feels more comfortable for you and your child, that’s absolutely fine. However, the word ‘weight’ shouldn’t be treated as a banned or shameful term. Avoiding it completely can sometimes create unnecessary worry or stigma. If your child wants to talk about weight it’s important to have open and supportive conversations.
It’s important for your child to know that a certain weight doesn’t always mean you are healthy, and that losing weight is the only way to improve your health. Explain to your child that we cannot know what a person is like based on how they look – just because someone is a smaller size does not mean they are kinder or more hard-working than someone who is larger.
Small conversations can work better than one ‘big’ talk.
Talk about growth and health where it comes up in everyday conversations and focus on these rather than weight itself.
Focus on the things your child can do to look after their health (keep active, eat their greens etc).
Don’t feel you have to talk about everything in one go.
Pick times when it feels more natural to talk about food, activity or weight, eg:
- When cooking or food shopping.
- Reading a cereal box over breakfast.
- When it comes up on TV.
- When shopping for clothes.
- When a child talks about their own or someone else’s size.
- When talking about what your child has done at school.
Remember, children look to their parents / carers first for guidance. You are important in helping them make sense of things.
Source: Talking to your child about weight: a guide for parents and caregivers of children aged 4 -11 years. University of Bath. www.bath.ac.uk
Additional information and support
Better Health: Healthier Families
www.nhs.uk/healthier-families (children’s weight)
