Helping the Overweight Child Helping your child with social and
emotional concerns It doesn't take long for children to figure
out that our culture and their peers idealize thinness. Children
who are overweight are especially at risk of being teased and
feeling alone. This can cause low self-esteem and Reference
depression Opens New Window. For information about helping a
child who is being teased, see the topic Reference Bullying. To
help your child have greater health, confidence, and self-
esteem, you can: - Avoid talking in terms of your child's
weight. How you talk about your child's body has a big impact on
your child's self-image. Instead, talk in terms of your child's
health, activity level, and other healthy lifestyle choices. -
Be a good role model by having a healthy attitude about food and
activity. Even if you struggle with how you feel about your own
body, avoid talk in front of your child about "being fat" and
"needing to diet." Instead, talk about and make the same healthy
lifestyle choices you