Bullying and Body Image
Bullying on the grounds of body image/size/obesity is one of the most prevalent forms of prejudice-related bullying. Recently, the level of such bullying has been exacerbated by national concerns about rising levels of obesity. The media's constant reinforcement of concerns about body image/size/obesity and the trivialisation of these issues is a key factor related to this problem.  

Body image is hugely important to children and young people and bullying because of body image can have a real negative impact.  A child or young person who is noticeably over or underweight may find themselves particularly vulnerable to bullying behaviour.  This bullying may itself take a variety of forms including name-calling, mimicry of eating habits or perceived eating habits, demeanour or physical agility, nasty comments about clothes and general appearance and/or covert photos being taken when changing for PE.  The impacts of bullying on the ground of body image can manifest in the development of poor eating habits and eating disorders.

Barriers to telling that bullying is taking place:

  • A belief that they will not be taken seriously
  • A belief that they will be blamed and asked to change themselves/their diet, etc
  • A desire to ‘fit in' and not attract further attention or scrutiny to themselves
  • A desire to protect other family members, who may also be over/under weight, from the stress associated with bullying behaviour

Bullying and disfigurement

Children and young people who have a condition, injury or illness that makes them look ‘different’ can be especially vulnerable to appearance-related remarks and bullying behaviour. For further information and guidance  visit: www.changingfaces.org.uk