Ever told your child that she was too fat?

If so, you’re not alone. One study, which followed over 2000 girls from age 10 until age 19, found that 58% reported being labeled as fat.

This study is nationally representative, which means: More than half of all girls are labeled fat. That’s shocking.

The study wasn’t focused solely on labeling done by parents.

The question, “Have any of these people told you that you were too fat?” was followed by a list that included father, mother, brother, sister, best girlfriend, boy you like best, any other girl, any other boy, and teacher.

Being labeled as fat at age 10 increased the odds of a child being obese at age 19.

  • Girls who were labeled by their families were 60% more likely to be obese at age 19.
  • Girls who were labeled by others were 40% more likely to be obese at age 19.

You might think the results just reflect who was fattest at age 10, but the researchers took that into consideration when they analyzed the data. The labeling effect is an added factor.

What’s the takeaway? Even if you have a legitimate reason to worry about your child’s weight, don’t label her.

And don’t put your child on a diet either. Kids can lose weight simply by growing.

Instead, focus on teaching your children the skills they’ll need for a lifetime of healthy eating.

There are only three habits that translate everything you need to know about nutrition into behavior:

  • Proportion
  • Variety
  • Moderation

Read Table Talk.

For more on parenting and weight:

~Changing the conversation from nutrition to habits.~

Source: Hunger, J. M. and J. A. Tomiyama. “Weight Labeling and Obesity: a Longitudinal Study of Girls Aged 10 to 19 Years.” Journal of American Medical Association Pediatrics Published Online April 28, 2014.