July 12, 2007
Oakland, CA – Shame! Bullying! Abuse! Betrayal! Alienation! These are words one would not commonly want to associate with childhood. Times have changed…especially if you are a fat child.
Stop the bullying! NAAFA challenges the media, government, health care professionals and educators to reassess their "War on Childhood Obesity." In the process of trying to "fix" children's physical health, they are destroying their mental health.
In the July edition of Psychological Bulletin, a new study by Yale University and the University of Hawaii at Manatoa states that children who report teasing, rejection, bullying and other types of abuse because of their weight are two to three times more likely to report suicidal thoughts.
The lead author of the study, Rebecca M. Puhl of Yale's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, states that it was based on a review of all research on youth weight bias over the past 40 years. "The quality of life for kids who are obese is comparable to the quality of life of kids who have cancer," Puhl said, citing one study. "These kids are facing stigma from everywhere they look in society, whether it's media, school or at home." "Perhaps the most surprising source of weight stigma toward today's youth is parents," the study says.
Children as young as 3 are more likely to consider overweight peers to be mean, stupid, ugly and sloppy. In a 1999 study of 115 middle and high school teachers, 20 percent said they believed obese people are untidy, less likely to succeed and more emotional.
"Weight-based discrimination is as important a problem as racial discrimination or discrimination against children with physical disabilities," the report concludes. "Finding a remedy for this discrimination needs to be taken equally as serious..."
"But it's for your health!" is the constant tune being sung by media, schools, parents and even the school yard bullies. The Bullying has to stop!
NAAFA believes, that the bullies must learn, a healthy lifestyle is not governed by weight loss but by a balanced approach, that includes regular exercise, healthy eating choices, emotional support & mental happiness. We challenge all concerned parties to embrace this approach and help build up the next generation instead of taking them down.
Today NAAFA announces that it will embark on a new focused campaign to help fat children battle the bullies. This campaign will combine education, support and advocacy for both children & parents alike.
Children come in all sizes...
Understand it.
Support it.
Accept it.
Founded in 1969, the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance is a non-profit human rights organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for fat people. NAAFA works to eliminate discrimination based on body size and provide fat people with the tools for self-empowerment through public education, advocacy, and member support.
On the web: http://www.naafa.org
For more information contact:
Peggy Howell, Public Relations Chairman
National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA)
e-mail: naafa_pr@yahoo.com phone: (707)246-6116