admin
Phillipa Mukome-ChinhoiYouth Interactive Correspondent
For children with overweight, losing weight is not easy. But when you add teasing to it, it becomes even more difficult.
These kids can feel trapped, alone, and helpless to change their situations.
What’s more, it is not just school bullies who are initiating weight teasing but also the victim’s friends, teachers, coaches, and even their parents and relatives might also participate. You hear them calling a child with obesity “dhafu dhunda” because they are big, some are even called Humpty Dumpty or “madhafinya” bescause of their weight.
Those with slim bodies also face the same situation, they are also given names because of their weight and the way they look, some call them “mabhonzo”, skinny, fat ripper or a shredder.
Kids who are bullied because of how much they weigh or the way their bodies look often become dissatisfied with how they look.
The end result is a body image problem. Body image has to do with how people think about their size and their shape and is an important part of identity. In fact, how a young person views their body directly relates to how they think about themselves as a whole. One becomes so affected they will end up failing to dress or walk properly because they think nothing suits them because of the said structure.
In an interview with Youth Interactive, Ngonidzashe Zvakasikwa from Terrence Cecil Hardy school in Ruwa said she has never experienced that but has seen some of her school mates being affected.
“Extensive levels of body shaming can have negative emotional effects, including low esteem, eating disorders and anxiety. A friend of mine who used to be tops in class ended up having low marks in her class work. She was a huge girl and the teasing by other kids really affected her, “she said.
Zvakasikwa hopes that if such matters are reported family members should support the child and if the bullying is happening at school, it needs to be addressed right away.
“My fellow kids lets make a commitment to report the bullying to the matrons, teacher, headmaster or the principal.
“This will keep us emotionally safe at school and our suroundings”. “It is rather difficult especially when teasing starts from the home hence there is need for safe places for such children where they can go and report their issue,” she said. Specialist in such issues, doctor Mertha Mo Nyamande, Integrative Psychotherapist said,:
“In psychology, the issue of body shaming runs much deeper than what is being shamed. It is mainly about lack of confidence and having a low self-esteem that whatever is criticised, one becomes intimidated. We cannot live life focusing on whatever other people say or talk about.
“Children and young adults have not yet developed the maturity to understand emotional intelligence and so they just say things as they see them.
“Whatever doesn’t seem in place, they are quick to look, say or laugh. If you already felt unease about something it will make you become more conscious and to an extent paranoid that others will see your blemish. So body shaming becomes more about the individual than those that look, talk and laugh, “He said.
He pointed out that communities also need to look out for their own and have communal spaces where children can learn to play and interact with others in order to build their confidence, for confidence also comes from healthy play spaces where they can express themselves openly among their peers.
Dr Nyamande added that Governments, through strategic town åplanning should ensure that such green spaces are put in place and protected. Most new developments hardly have plays paces at the expense of the development of our children.
However, most of the time, these weight-related comments sound like helpful hints. But in reality, the words are judgmental and critical, and kids get the message loud and clear. They feel bad about themselves and their bodies which results in a negative body image.
Online Reporter