Worthy: The Power of Kindness in Raising Body Positive Children

We tell ourselves stories about childhood—the bright mornings, the sunlit backyards, the moments we think we’ve captured forever. But I’m reminded time and again that no photograph, no carefully framed social media post, can fully hold the complicated truths children live. Behind every eager smile, every bit of laughter, lurk the unspoken questions: Am I seen? Am I worthy? And then there’s the childhood obesity epidemic, a tide that silently reshapes countless lives. I’m not talking about a number on a scale or the quick-fix advice in a supermarket magazine. I’m talking about the invisible weight kids carry when the world frames their bodies as a problem to be solved—when their every step on the playground or choice in the cafeteria is overshadowed by the anxious lens of “too big,” “too heavy,” “not healthy enough.” There’s a heartbreak to seeing a child shrink away from being simply a kid, worried someone might count their calories or monitor their plate. We talk about body positivity as if it’s some kind of slogan or quick workshop. Yet Worthy—the deeply rooted sense of believing you are deserving simply because you exist—runs deeper than any campaign. It’s in the hush of the everyday, where a child discovers she loves painting her nails emerald green or he finds joy in dancing barefoot in the yard. It’s in giving children space to be messy, curious, bold—without having their every smile or stumble broadcast, scrutinized, or labeled as progress. When we protect a child’s private realm—by asking permission before sharing their photos, by respecting the notebooks they fill with secret drawings, by offering kindness when they voice fears about their appearance—we’re giving them a radical kind of empathy. It says, You are worthy of boundaries. You deserve pockets of your life that are yours alone. It breaks the cycle of turning childhood into content, ensuring that their hearts and minds stay theirs to explore. Maybe the best way to uplift children—especially when the world tries to corner them with scales, charts, or fear—is to remind them that worth isn’t earned. It’s their birthright. We honor it with our patience, our compassion, and our willingness to let them hold the narrative of their own lives in their own hands. Because in the end, their story is theirs, and we do well to offer them the freedom and gentle respect they need to grow, shine, and be. #socialworkers  #nurses #doctors  #physicians  #physiciansassistant  #schoolnurse  #school  #bullying #bullyingprevention #weightbias #kindness  #bodypostivity  #children #parenting  #sleepapena  #physical  #worthy  #worthiness  #childrenshealth  #healthy  #resources  #parents  #obesity  #childhoodobesity  #hypertension  #type2diabetes  #diabetes

Let's talk about helping families maintain hope during the obesity epidemic. Hope is can be strengthened and maintained! Here's how!

You remember childhood, or you think you do. Maybe you were that kid who performed elaborate musicals for stuffed animals, or maybe you wore the world’s smallest frown, wishing it all made more sense. Photos can show your grin, but they never quite capture the low-lying hum of Am I seen? Am I worthy? Then you switch on the news, or you scroll through something on your phone, and there it is: the childhood obesity epidemic. A headline, a number, an exclamation. A tidal wave of concerned doctors holding clipboards and shaking their heads. You recall your own parents, measuring out your cereal like it was nuclear material. Or was it you measuring it out for yourself, wanting to vanish behind an acceptable silhouette? At some point, the lines blur. The kid who used to do cartwheels on a whim might start parsing out calories instead—unsure whether the problem is the body or the lens turned upon it. And so you think about body positivity as if it’s a device you can switch on, like a lamp. But that’s not how it works, is it? Self-worth is more like a small, persistent flame. Maybe it’s the goofy hat you wore because it made you happy for five seconds, even if your classmate called it “dorky.” Each little act of autonomy tells the world: Here, I exist without your permission. Because the tricky thing about children is that they see and hear everything— your impatient sigh when the doctor uses words like “BMI” and “at risk.” Protecting a kid’s dignity in medical settings is respecting their right to just be- not just "adhering to" a treatment for a diagnosis. Maybe that’s what being worthy is: a birthright. Maybe children deserve that unspoken understanding that their bodies, their daydreams—those can remain untethered to anyone else’s expectations. After all, it’s the small stuff that shapes us. Jumping rope with friends, tossing a ball in a field, the silly drawings hanging on the fridge. The belief that your worth isn’t hinged on whether you eat the cupcake or skip it. Worth isn’t earned. It just is. And if you’re lucky, someday the child you were (or the one you love) grows up into a person who knows that to be true. Because in the end, the unquantifiable is what matters. To be able to say: Yes, I’m here. That is enough. #bodypostivity #doctors #nurses #dietitians #teachers #socialworkers #schoolnurses #parents #childhoodobesity #Schoollunch #children  #parenting #sleepapena #physicalactivity #worthy #weightbias #bodyshamingprevention #motivationalinterviewing #worthiness  #childrenshealth #healthy #resources #parents #obesity  #childhoodobesity #hypertension #type2diabetes #diabetesawareness #weight #obesitycode #overweightproblems #kids  #kindness #parenting #parentingtips

We tell ourselves stories about childhood—the bright mornings, the sunlit backyards, the moments we think we’ve captured forever. But I’m reminded time and again that no photograph, no carefully framed social media post, can fully hold the complicated truths children live. Behind every eager smile, every bit of laughter, lurk the unspoken questions: Am I seen? Am I worthy? And then there’s the childhood obesity epidemic, a tide that silently reshapes countless lives. I’m not talking about a number on a scale or the quick-fix advice in a supermarket magazine. I’m talking about the invisible weight kids carry when the world frames their bodies as a problem to be solved—when their every step on the playground or choice in the cafeteria is overshadowed by the anxious lens of “too big,” “too heavy,” “not healthy enough.” There’s a heartbreak to seeing a child shrink away from being simply a kid, worried someone might count their calories or monitor their plate. We talk about body positivity as if it’s some kind of slogan or quick workshop. Yet Worthy—the deeply rooted sense of believing you are deserving simply because you exist—runs deeper than any campaign. It’s in the hush of the everyday, where a child discovers she loves painting her nails emerald green or he finds joy in dancing barefoot in the yard. It’s in giving children space to be messy, curious, bold—without having their every smile or stumble broadcast, scrutinized, or labeled as progress. When we protect a child’s private realm—by asking permission before sharing their photos, by respecting the notebooks they fill with secret drawings, by offering kindness when they voice fears about their appearance—we’re giving them a radical kind of empathy. It says, You are worthy of boundaries. You deserve pockets of your life that are yours alone. It breaks the cycle of turning childhood into content, ensuring that their hearts and minds stay theirs to explore. Maybe the best way to uplift children—especially when the world tries to corner them with scales, charts, or fear—is to remind them that worth isn’t earned. It’s their birthright. We honor it with our patience, our compassion, and our willingness to let them hold the narrative of their own lives in their own hands. Because in the end, their story is theirs, and we do well to offer them the freedom and gentle respect they need to grow, shine, and be. #socialworkers  #nurses #doctors  #physicians  #physiciansassistant  #schoolnurse  #school  #bullying #bullyingprevention #weightbias #kindness  #bodypostivity  #children #parenting  #sleepapena  #physical  #worthy  #worthiness  #childrenshealth  #healthy  #resources  #parents  #obesity  #childhoodobesity  #hypertension  #type2diabetes  #diabetes

Let's get real about tackling childhood obesity. Worthy's approach: Helping kids reach a healthy weight isn’t about quick fixes or one-size-fits-all solutions. You need to build trust with parents, teachers, and caregivers. You need to have empathetic, ongoing conversations with kids about health and their bodies. You need to address the root causes—emotional, social, and environmental challenges. STOP thinking a single campaign or handout will "fix the problem." START focusing on real solutions—building resources, habits, and partnerships that truly support kids and families. Let’s approach this with kindness, patience, and action. 🌟 What’s worked for you in supporting parents of children with obesity? Share your thoughts below ⬇️

The Power of Compassion in Helping Children Navigate Weight Changes "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." — The 14th Dalai Lama As a parent, educator, or caregiver, one of our most important roles is to help children feel safe, loved, and cared for, especially when they are facing challenges like significant changes in their weight. How do we help children navigate these changes without resorting to shame, weight bias, or fat-shaming? How do we foster an environment of kindness and compassion that prioritizes their health and well-being over societal pressures? The answer lies in understanding and embracing body positivity — and in recognizing that weight-related challenges are not the result of willpower failures, but of complex physiological factors. At Worthy, we are committed to guiding families through this journey with love, kindness, and compassion, ensuring children feel valued for who they are, rather than for the number on the scale. Why Compassion Matters As someone with over 20 years of experience working in leadership roles to prevent childhood obesity, I’ve had the privilege of speaking with countless doctors, parents, and experts about the childhood obesity epidemic. One thing I’ve learned for sure is that compassion is key when it comes to helping children navigate weight challenges. When we, as parents, approach the subject with kindness and understanding, we can help our children feel heard, supported, and safe. However, there is an ongoing debate about whether we should even discuss weight changes with children. While some may argue that silence is the best approach, research and experts increasingly agree that we cannot afford to remain silent. Ignoring weight changes can leave children vulnerable to bullying, isolation, and even suicidal thoughts. Studies show that children who experience weight-related bullying are 2-3 times more likely to experience self-harm or contemplate suicide. At Worthy, we know that addressing weight changes with sensitivity and care is crucial to preventing the emotional harm caused by neglecting the issue. By creating a compassionate space for dialogue, we empower children to understand their bodies and take the necessary steps to care for their health.

Harsh truth about nurses and doctors trying to tackle childhood obesity: Helping children achieve their healthiest weight isn't just about awareness campaigns or quick interventions.    🌟 You need to build trust and relationships with parents.     🌟You need to have empathetic, compassionate, ongoing conversations with children about their changing bodies.     🌟You need to acknowledge weight bias as well as use person first language. STOP thinking a single program or a handout is enough to "fix the problem." START building effective resources, sustainable habits, and partnerships that support children and their families over time. Let’s redefine how we approach this conversation with kindness, patience, and expertise. 🌟 What have you found most effective in supporting children toward healthier lives? Let’s share ideas below. ⬇️ #bodypostivity #doctors #nurses #dietitians #teachers #socialworkers #schoolnurses #parents #childhoodobesity #Schoollunch #children  #parenting #sleepapena #physicalactivity #worthy #weightbias #bodyshamingprevention #motivationalinterviewing #worthiness  #childrenshealth #healthy #resources #parents #obesity  #childhoodobesity #hypertension #type2diabetes #diabetesawareness #weight #obesitycode #overweightproblems #kids  #kindness #parenting #parentingtips

3 mistakes you are PROBABLY making when discussing a child’s weight gain with parents 1. "You are assuming they know their child has gained too much weight too fast." 2. "You are thinking parents are ready to engage in creating a strategy to help their child." 3. "You are using outdated language to discuss weight gain in children.” The truth is, you were told that childhood obesity is an epidemic that parents can help control. But no one told you HOW. While there’s no magic solution, here are a few ways to get parents to HELP YOU help their child: 1. Below is a free resource “How to Discuss Weight Changes With Parents.” 2. Commit to using stigma free language with parents such as obesity and overweight. 3. Begin infusing kindness into your practice by initiating weight bias and fat-shaming conversations with parents. Are they worried about their child feeling left out, ignored, or mistreated due to their weight? People doing it well in your industry are aware of weight bias and fat shaming language and have stopped using it. You don't have to be a perfect to get started but remember you have to practice to do better for children and their parents! Check out “How to Discuss Weight Changes With Parents below! #bodypostivity #children #parenting #sleepapena #physical #worthy #worthiness #childrenshealth #healthy #resources #parents #obesity #childhoodobesity #hypertension #type2diabetes #diabetesawareness #weight #obesity #obesitycode #overweightproblems #kids #kindness #parenting #parentingtips

If you’re a nurse or a school nurse, I’ve got some information you won’t want to miss… There is ONE THING that is holding you back from discussing rapid weight gain with your students. Do you know what it is? It’s the FEAR of saying the WRONG thing! Not knowing how to speak with children about weight changes can resulting: 👉The child feeling shame and embarrassment. 👉 Putting a child at risk for eating disorders or more weight gain due to comfort eating 👉The child feeling unsafe and alone in a world of weight bias and body-shaming. Sounds a bit discouraging, doesn’t it? But there’s GOOD news! Just like building an exercise habit or learning a new skill, speaking compassionately using kind, balance, true, and necessary words is something you can develop with practice. If you want help to children of all sizes and shapes feel worthy and loved comment WORTHY below so that you can connect with my team! #bodypostivity #children #parenting #sleepapena #physical #worthy #worthiness #childrenshealth #healthy #resources #parents #obesity #childhoodobesity #hypertension #type2diabetes #diabetesawareness #weight #obesity #obesitycode #overweightproblems #kids #kindness #parenting #parentingtips