Parent-Child Conversations About Weight

Weight is a challenging and sensitive topic for parents to discuss with their adolescent child. It’s no surprise that this is a complex conversation. In our diet culture society, weight is often pathologized or seen as a moral issue, which adds to an already difficult topic. Adolescence only intensifies this complexity. It’s a time when bodies are changing rapidly, self-awareness increases, and social comparison becomes more prominent.

What we know: Many parents feel ill-equipped to navigate these conversations effectively. In one study, a third of parents reported feeling they lacked sufficient knowledge about weight-related topics and were uncomfortable discussing them with their child. More than half (59%) expressed a desire for resources to help guide conversations about weight and appearance. Despite their good intentions, parents can unintentionally contribute to weight stigma. In fact, 21–42% of adolescents report being teased by their parents about their weight.

A new study: I want to highlight an important new study, Efficacy of a Universal Weight Stigma Intervention on the Quality of Parent-Child Conversations About Weight, published in the April issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health. Lead author Katherine Rancaño and her colleagues examined whether a universal weight stigma intervention could improve the quality of weight-related conversations between parents and their children.

In the study, 200 parents were randomly assigned to receive a 13-week intervention. The intervention included a handbook, pamphlet, text messages, a resource list, and a meeting with an interventionist. At a three-month follow-up, parents in the intervention group used 28% less stigmatizing language compared to those in the control group.

Reason for hope: These findings are hopeful. They suggest that with the right support, parents can learn to engage in more supportive and non-stigmatizing conversations with their adolescent children about weight and body image.