How to Cope When Boys Say One Is Fat

Whether you’re overweight or not, it’s inevitable that one of the mean boys in school will tease you about being “fat.” Develop strategies to deal with their immature taunting, keep your self-esteem intact and prevent the cruel comments from continuing.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Accept yourself for you who are. One boy’s rude comments won’t have an affect on you once you realize that your appearance has no bearing on your personality, intelligence and likeability.
2. Buy fashionable, comfortable clothes that flatter your figure. When you feel your best, your self-confidence may prevent the comments in the first place. Boys like to pick on girls (whether they’re skinny, fat or in between) that they know they can upset.
3. Prepare a response to shut the boys down. Although ignoring the cruel comments is effective since the person won’t have the satisfaction of a reaction, sometimes a simple, “That’s your opinion” will let the person know he hasn’t upset you.
4. Discuss the situation and surround yourself with family and friends who love you unconditionally. Take their supportive comments to heart and realize that you won’t be around these boys forever.
5. Use this as a growing experience to understand how unnecessarily hurtful some people can be and why you should always treat others with compassion and respect.
6. Talk to a teacher or counselor if a boy’s occasional comments turn into constant taunting or bullying or if the situation is causing you to become depressed and affecting your performance in school.

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t resort to insulting the boy to get back at him. This could escalate the situation and lead him and his friends to continue the taunts or plan a more serious prank on you.