Teasing Children About Weight Linked to Adult Self-Stigma
A study by the University of Bristol reveals that children who experience weight-based teasing and pressure from family members to lose weight are more likely to internalize weight stigma as adults, regardless of their actual weight. This self-stigma can lead to negative effects on psychological health, including increased risk of eating disorders and a drive for thinness. The study, which followed over 4,000 children into adulthood, emphasizes the long-lasting impact of parental and familial pressure on body image and urges parents to promote healthy habits without emphasizing the need to be thin. Additionally, the study found that childhood bullying also contributes to greater weight stigma in adulthood, and further research is needed to understand the impact of social media on body image.