HELPING KIDS STAY BALANCED
Encouraging a Positive Body Image at School
HELPING KIDS STAY BALANCED
Encouraging a Positive Body Image at School
Author: Marie-Michèle Ricard, psychoeducator, psychotherapist, teacher
Beyond being a place of learning, school is a true living environment that has a major influence on teens’ development. And as a teacher, you can play an important role in fostering the mental health of your young students.
Did you know that weight is the number one source of bullying in schools?
Nine out of ten teens say that they have witnessed weight-related bullying1
Bullying has many negative consequences, not only for the person being targeted and the people who witness it, but also for the perpetrator. Read on to learn more about appearance-related bullying, its impact on body image, and the importance of countering this behaviour with your students.
What is appearance-related bullying and stigmatization?
Bullying and stigmatization refer to situations in which a young person is singled out and subjected to comments and taunts for physical characteristics that make them different from their peers. Even though all young people can experience this stigmatization, those who are overweight are more frequent targets.
Teens need a positive body image, closely related to self-esteem, in order to have a healthy relationship with their body and with food throughout their lives.
Here are some of the consequences of weight-related stigmatization and bullying:
- Increased body dissatisfaction, which can lead to dangerous eating behaviours (food restricting, binging and purging, etc.)
- Reduced self-esteem (i.e., a negative self-image in reaction to other people’s comments)
- Symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Social isolation and withdrawal. When this happens, some teens may struggle to talk about their experiences and speaking out against stigma
The serious nature of these consequences are why it’s so important to encourage your students to report any bullying that they experience or are party to. What’s more, when they do report bullying, your school will be able to deploy the government-issued guidelines for handling these types of situations.
Take action by promoting a positive body image
There are several things you can do as a teacher to reduce stigmatization and bullying and promote body diversity:
- Use posters and organize activities that highlight body diversity
- Don’t weigh your students or measure their body fat in class. Only health professionals with very specific objectives should use these tools
- Offer a wide range of physical activities so that each student can enjoy being active and discover what their body is able to do
- Raise students’ awareness of the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle by organizing activities or workshops focused on:
– Diet (cooking classes, recipe sharing, talks about intuitive eating, the danger of dieting, eating with mindfulness, etc.)
– Physical activity (set up group or individual sports groups, sessions on body mindfulness, etc.)
– Emotional regulation and self-esteem.
Be a role model
As a teacher or member of the school staff, you can have a real influence on young people through your own daily actions. You can set an example by:
- Developing a positive body image yourself and showing them that you love the body you’re in
- Never making comments about a person’s weight or appearance
- Intervening quickly and firmly when bullying occurs
- Promoting your students’ self-esteem by building on their skills, abilities, and strengths
Discover all our practical tips to promote body diversity in your school.
Download our free comprehensive mini–guide for schools, featuring:
- A theoretical section on body image
- Key actions to promote a positive body image in your school
- Advice on how to deal with problematic situations with your students regarding appearance
👉 Download the guide
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Sources
[1] Association pour la santé publique du Québec, 2014.