Around 1 in 4 Australian children are at a higher weight.² Although eating and drinking too much while moving too little may lead to weight gain, it’s not that simple. There are many things that can lead to higher weight in childhood, including:

• biology (e.g. genetics, health problems, medications)
• behaviour (e.g. screen time, physical activity, sleep quality, routines)
• environment (e.g. the marketing of unhealthy foods and drinks to children; availability of parks and green spaces).^2,3

The causes of higher weight are complex. Many will be outside of your or your child’s control. Also, health is not based on body size or weight – healthy children come in a wide range of body shapes and sizes. But being higher weight does put your child at increased risk of experiencing bullying and mental health concerns. By understanding and focusing on the factors that you can control, you can help your child to thrive at any size.

How children with higher weight are treated – and how they feel about themselves – can affect their mental health.

• Children with higher weight are often teased and bullied about their weight. They can be left out of activities or rejected by other children.⁴ Weight-based teasing can lead to negative body image, disordered eating behaviours (e.g. eating too much or not enough, vomiting after eating, being really strict about which foods they eat), as well as depression.⁵
• Negative attitudes and behaviours, such as teasing, can also come from adults such as family members, teachers and health professionals.⁶
• Some parents and professionals make the mistake of believing that focusing on a child’s weight or the benefits of weight loss will help them to lose weight. In reality, negative comments and behaviours can lead to children putting on weight. They can also increase the chances of poor outcomes such as body dissatisfaction, social isolation and a reduction in physical activity. ^3,5,6,7

Children with higher weight are more likely to be unhappy with their weight or appearance.^8,9,10 It is these concerns, rather than their actual weight, that put children at increased risk of poor outcomes.³

The links between weight and wellbeing are complex and still being researched. But what we know so far suggests the following:

• Children at a higher weight can experience low self-esteem^1,2,6 and their quality of life can be affected. Thinking about children’s wellbeing, this can look like:
  • emotional difficulties (e.g. feeling angry, sad, afraid or scared, or having trouble sleeping)
  • social difficulties (e.g. having problems getting along with other children, being teased by other children)
  • physical difficulties (e.g. having trouble walking more than one block or lifting something heavy).^3,7,11,12
• How a child feels about their weight may increase their risk of depression. But common depressive symptoms, such as losing interest in doing physical activities or spending time with their friends, and spending more time sitting or lying around the house, can also affect their weight.^5,7,13,14,15
• Teasing and bullying about their weight, and associated body image concerns, can increase the chances of problematic eating behaviours (e.g. skipping meals, restrictive dieting).^5,7,16 Factors such as a belief in ‘thinness’ as the ideal (often influenced by the media, video games and family and friends¹⁷), and unhappiness with their weight/shape, can increase a child’s risk of disordered eating.¹⁸
• Behaviours, medications and sleep problems that are commonly associated with developmental disorders (e.g. autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactive disorder) may affect a child’s weight.⁸ For example, behaviours that are common in children with autism, such as fussy eating or increased eating, can affect weight.⁹

The following strategies are designed to promote positive parental involvement. Your support and non-judgemental care can help to protect your child from the negative impacts they may experience as a result of their higher weight.

Focus on a positive, healthy lifestyle. Encourage a healthy lifestyle without talking about weight or weight loss. For example, encourage your child to eat a wide range of healthy foods and to participate in physical activities they enjoySee the ‘Further resources’ section for links to ideas.

Practice body kindness and use positive language. Focus on your child’s health and healthy behaviours. Ask them what terms they would like you to use.  Avoid speaking negatively about your own and other people’s weight, as it sends a message that weight is important and that the way someone feels relates to whether they’re feeling good about their body. It is also helpful to avoid comparing your child’s weight to that of their peers or siblings. Every child is unique and healthy children come in a range of shapes and sizes.

Take a supportive, curious and non-judgemental approach with your child. This encourages open communication so that your child can tell you about any concerns they might have (e.g. bullying at school, worries about their size/health).

Look out for any signs of teasing or bullying your child may be experiencing. If you notice anything concerning, let them know that they didn’t deserve this, that it’s not their fault, and remind them of their strengths. You can find links to bullying resources for parents in the Further Resources section of this guide.

Encourage siblings, friends and others to get involved if they see your child being teased, bullied or left out. Help your child to identify safe adults or friends who will support them if they’re feeling isolated or targeted.

Be an advocate for your child. Identify settings where the focus is on weight, or where you are concerned your child may feel shamed or judged, and think about how you can support their wellbeing. For example, you might discuss with your doctor when it’s not OK to talk about your child’s weight – for instance, if you’re attending the doctor for an unrelated matter, such as a vaccination. You might also discuss whether you would like to have conversations about weight with your child present or not. As part of this, it’s important to think about how your child might want to be involved in the professional process, and, depending on their age or development, to ask them whether they would like to be part of conversations which focus on them.

Focus on qualities that aren’t related to weight. Highlight your child’s strengths (e.g. that they’re kind, hardworking, imaginative…) and skills (e.g. school-, sport- or activity-related) to help them see themselves positively. You could have them list five things they like about themselves that aren’t related to how they look.²⁰ This can help your child appreciate their whole self and be kinder to themselves. See the ‘Further Resources’ section for information on how  to help promote a positive body image.

Promote acceptance of diverse body shapes and sizes. You can encourage acceptance of different shapes and sizes by identifying and talking about positive role models with your child. It can be difficult for children to find role models with different bodies (especially in the media and online). Think about family, friends, sports people, musicians and others with diverse bodies who can show your child that health, success and happiness are not related to how a person looks. Highlight how all people are unique and have strengths and skills. Talk to your child about how people come in different shapes and sizes and can be healthy regardless of their body size.

Take a whole-of-family approach to health. Rather than focusing solely on your child, work together as a family to identify health-focused, rather than weight-focused, goals. For example, think about physical activities you enjoy doing together or healthy meals you can cook and eat as a family. Discuss the importance of sleep for wellbeing and set a good sleep routine (e.g. regular bedtimes). See ‘Further resources’ for more information.

If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health, seek support. Being aware of the potential connections between higher weight and children’s mental health can help you to identify early warning signs of mental health difficulties, support your child and, where necessary, seek professional help. If you’re concerned about your child’s mental health, speak to a primary health professional such as your GP or child health nurse. They will be able to assess your child and may refer them to a specialised service (e.g. paediatrician, psychologist) if needed.

If you’re concerned about your own wellbeing, seek support. You may have struggled with your own concerns about your body shape and size, growing up or as an adult. Talking about these issues with your child may bring these feelings to the surface. Children thrive when you are well, so it’s important for you to look after yourself. It may be helpful for you to talk to your primary health professional. Again, they will be able to offer you support and may refer you to a specialised service.

What are some other supports for families?

Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia to achieve their best possible mental health. The service supports people experiencing depression, anxiety or who are just going through a difficult time. The phone service 1300 224 636 operates 24/7, while the website offers online chat, email support and online forums.

Healthdirect is a national, government-owned, not-for-profit organisation supporting Australians in managing their own health and wellbeing. Healthdirect offers a range of virtual health services, including information, health advice (via their Symptom Checker), a service finder and a free helpline (1800 022 222).

Kids Helpline is a free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for children aged 5–12 years and young adults aged 18–25 years. Qualified counsellors are available via phone on 1800 551 800 or via chat or email.

Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services. Help is available via phone on 13 11 14 or via chat or text.

Parentline is a confidential telephone service providing professional counselling and support in Queensland and the Northern Territory. Available via phone on 1300 301 300.

Raising Children Network is a comprehensive and trusted online resource for parenting information. Their website includes information on children’s health and wellbeing across the ages. It includes videos, fact sheets and downloadable toolkits on child development, behavioural problems and health issues.

Where can I go for further information on higher weight and related topics?

Confident Body, Confident Child is an evidence-based resource that offers parenting strategies to help you promote positive body image, healthy eating and physical activity in children aged 2–6 years. It aims to support and guide you to create an environment in which your children can develop body satisfaction and healthy eating patterns. It was developed for use in early childhood, but the ideas will also be valuable for older children.

This resource from the Raising Children Network offers guidance on building self-esteem in children aged 1–8 years.

Butterfly Foundation is the national charity for all Australians impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, and for the families, friends and communities who support them. The foundation provides innovative, evidence-based support services, treatment and resources, delivers prevention and early intervention programs, and advocates for the needs of our community.

The National Eating Disorders Collaboration is a government initiative that aims to apply a consistent, evidenced-based approach to the prevention and treatment of eating disorders. It provides information on eating disorders and support for people living in larger bodies. The website explains eating disorders, including prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery. Support is available on 1800 334 673

This resource from UK organisation Kidscape provides practical advice around bullying.

This resource from the Raising Children Network offers guidance on supporting your school-aged child (5–8 years) if they’re experiencing bullying.

References

1. Beyond Blue. (n.d.). What is mental health? Melbourne, VIC: Beyond Blue.
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