What is weight bias?
Weight bias is negative attitudes and beliefs about people based on their weight, shape, appearance, or Body Mass Index (BMI). Weight bias shows up in the media, health care, schools, workplaces and in day to day interactions with others. Experiencing weight bias can impact your health and well-being.
Bodies come in a variety of shapes and sizes. All bodies deserve to be treated with respect and to receive care that is free of discrimination.
Reducing Weight Bias at School
Weight-based teasing is the most common form of bullying in schools1. 1Provincially, over half of students in Gr 7-12 reported being bullied about their weight or body shape at least once in the past year2. In 2019, 48.7% of youth 12-17 surveyed in the Southwestern Public Health region reported preoccupation with a desire to be thinner in the past year3. Reducing weight bias in schools helps students to develop positive body image and improves student well-being and success.
Educators can crate inclusive environments for all bodies by refraining commenting negatively on bodies, including their own. Keep conversations free of "diet-talk" and teach students about natural body diversity which includes accepting, respecting, and celebrating our bodies. Include images of diverse bodies in books and media used and displayed in the classroom and teach students to critically assess media and cultural portrayals of bodies.
Learn more about how educators can support students' body image and relationships with food with the following resources:
- Eating Disorders Ontario Prevention: How Schools Can Help
- Mental Health and Weight Bias in Schools
- 10 Ways to Create a Supportive Food Environment in Schools
- Nurturing Healthy Eaters in the Classroom (Elementary) COMING SOON
- Nurturing Healthy Eaters in the Classroom (Secondary) COMING SOON
- NEDIC Beyond Images (Curriculum for students in grades 4-8 to explore body image, self esteem, and media messaging, while developing critical thinking skills)
- Weight Neutral Wellbeing in Schools: University of Calgary Body Image Lab
Resources for parents and caregivers
Resources for health care professionals
References:
1. Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (2018). School Health Guideline. Retrieved from https://files.ontario.ca/moh-guidelines-school-health-guideline-en-2018.pdf
2. Boak, A., & Hamilton, H.A. (2024). the mental health and well-being of Ontario students, 1991-2023:Findings from the Ontario Student Drug use and Health Survey (OSDUHS). Toronto, ON: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
3. Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). Healthy eating behaviours among 1-17 year olds using the Canadian Health Survey of Children and Youth. Toronto, ON: King's Printer for Ontario; 2024.