Reducing Weight Bias

Weight bias happens when people have negative attitudes or beliefs about others based on their weight, shape, or appearance. It can show up in places like schools, workplaces, health care and even in everyday conversations. Experiencing weight bias can harm your mental and physical health. Every person deserves to be treated with respect and care, no matter their size or weight.

What is weight bias at school?

Weight-based teasing is one of the most common forms of bullying in schools. More than half of Ontario students in Grades 7–12 have reported being bullied about their weight or body shape at least once in the past year. 

Locally, almost half of youth aged 12–17 in the Southwestern Public Health region have said they worried about being thinner in the past year.

Reducing weight bias in schools helps students feel better about themselves, develop a positive body image, and succeed in their learning.

How can educators reduce weight bias at school?

Educators can support students' body image and relationships with food by:

• Avoid saying negative things about anyone’s body—including your own

• Skip the “diet talk” and focus on health and happiness instead

• Talk about how bodies come in all shapes and sizes and celebrate what makes each one special

• Use books, posters, and videos that show different kinds of bodies so everyone feels included

• Help students think about how the media and culture shape our ideas about what bodies “should” look like

Here are some resources for educators:

Learn more about how to support students’ body image and well-being:

• Eating Disorders Ontario Prevention: How Schools Can Help

• Mental Health and Weight Bias in Schools

• NEDIC Beyond Images Curriculum (for Grades 4–8): Explore body image, self-esteem, and media messaging while building critical thinking skills.

• Weight Neutral Well-Being in Schools: University of Calgary Body Image Lab

How can parents and caregivers help with weight bias?

Parents and caregivers can support their children by:

• Talking positively about their own bodies and avoiding negative comments about weight

• Teaching children to focus on what their bodies can do rather than how they look

• Encouraging healthy habits, like eating balanced meals and staying active, without focusing on weight

Learn more about supporting Your Child's Relationship with Food and Their Body

How can healthcare professionals help with weight bias?

Health care professionals can access resources to better support patients and reduce weight bias in their practice:

• Check out Weight Bias Resources with Ontario Dietitians in Public Health