Obese kids more likely to be bullied

I found this article on MSNBC News site. This news article is about obese kids being picked on in schools. It said “Obese children in grades 3 through 6 are more apt to be bullied by their classmates than children who are trim, regardless of their gender, race, social skills, or academic achievement.” Dr. Julie C. Lumeng from University of Michigan thought obese children would be less likely to be picked on because they are so common now days. The article also said “Lumeng is also concerned about the ‘pervasive view’ that obesity is all about a lack of self-control with food and not getting enough exercise. And while overeating and lack of exercise are part of it, ‘it’s so much more complex than that, and we really need to work on changing this view of what causes obesity.” 1 in 5 children to 1 in 6 children are obese in America.

My first reaction to this was, it was sad to think of kids being made fun of. But honestly, it’s a part of life, and it’s not just the obese kids getting made fun of. Girls without boobs at a young age get made fun of, or someone who is “different” than everyone else gets made fun of. It’s part of being in school.

I hate to see that this article is trying to get schools to prevent obese kids from getting made fun of, but honestly I think it will just make it worse. Kids tend to do what they are not supposed to do, and if you point it out to them and tell them not to do something, they probably will. So if schools sat their students down and told them not to make fun of the obese kids, that will only make kids question why they shouldn’t do it, and it will point out the differences between them. I think in the end this could be way worse than just letting kids be kids. My second opinion on this story was why they were trying to get schools to do something to protect the obese children, but nothing to the parents who are allowing their child to be obese. They could be making healthier meals for dinner, or sending their kids with sack lunches with healthier foods; eating less McDonalds, and more Subway; or even make their kids get up of the couch and get some exercise. I understand that some people are big boned and can’t help it, but they can help how big they get. They can exercise and keep their weight under control so their risk of heart disease is lower. Some parents just let their kids eat what they want, and sit around and play video games and this causes them to get made fun of in school.

I’m not trying to be harsh, but there are ways other than blaming schools for kids getting made fun of. I think we need to look at what our parents can change before we harass the schools.