Weight Bias

Weight Bias

Weight bias refers to negative attitudes, beliefs, assumptions, and judgments about individuals based on their weight, shape, or size. Weight bias can affect anyone, however, in our current society, it tends to be targeted at people in larger bodies. When directed towards people in larger bodies, weight bias can lead to weight stigma and discrimination.

Weight bias is very common and can happen anywhere. 

In schools, it can show up in the physical environment, policies, classroom, and social interactions with adults and peers. Experiencing weight bias can be harmful to children and youth and negatively impact their physical, mental, and social well-being, body image, and school achievement.

Everyone can play an important part in reducing weight bias at school and supporting students to develop a positive relationship with their bodies.​ Below are some practical actions you can take today.

Become aware of your biases. We all have weight bias – none of us are immune to this given the culture we live in. Reflecting on your thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs about body size, weight, and health can help increase self-awareness and identify areas for improvement. Reflect on the following:

• What messages have you learned about weight, body size, and health from family, friends, colleagues, my education, or the media?

• How do your personal experiences and identity (e.g., age, gender, ethnicity) affect your thoughts about weight, bodies, and health?
• What assumptions do you make about people based on their size or weight?
• School Mental Health Ontario’s Cultural Humility Self-Reflection Tool may be helpful to review, keeping body size in mind

Teach and talk about bodies in a positive and inclusive way. The way adults teach and talk about food, bodies, and health at school can have a big impact on students. Refer to the Guiding Principles and In the Classroom pages for more information.

Create an inclusive school environment that celebrates, respects, and accepts all bodies. Address weight-based bullying and promote body diversity at school using the ideas on the EveryBody  page.

Be aware that diet culture and weight bias can sneak up easily during meal and snack times. Refer to the Elementary School Food Scenarios, Secondary School Food Scenarios, and Eating At School page for more information.