Tips For Teachers

  • Fat and thin children need to be nurtured, not changed. All children must be taught to love and respect their bodies, no matter what size they are.
  • Take the focus off size, food and eating, and put it back on health and self-esteem.
  • Question your own size bias. Avoid negative self-talk about your own body. When you hear something troubling, respond constructively in a way that challenges and educates.
  • Build trust with students who are heavier so that you are approachable about bullying issues.
  • Display artwork and images in your classroom that celebrate people of varying sizes.
  • Do not criticize children for gaining weight or offer compliments for weight loss.
  • Do not use educational materials that have derogatory representations of fat people or endorse size-based stereotypes.
Sources: Cheri K. Erdman, psychotherapist, and Michael Loewy of the University of North Dakota