How do I encourage my son to be positive about his own body?

[Anonymous]

I have a 15 yo son. He's always been on the bigger side, but he's still healthy. We teach him all about Intuitive Eating, which means eating based on one's internal needs rather than a diet. That's why he's healthy even if he is chubbier.

The problem is that other kids don't treat him well. Apparently, he's bullied by some of them because of his appearance. We've tried to make him feel better about his body, that there's nothing wrong with it, but it hasn't worked. Now he's trying to go on super strict diets and overexercising. We don't know what to do.

[MisterWack]

Get his father to tell him that for his age ,

It is normal for a boy to hate his own body.

Puberty , weight issues , appearance , acne , squeaky voice , etc.

Just tell him, everything will be okay and there will come a time when he realizes that his body is his business, that it won’t matter what others say because he’ll grow into it. His happiness, health, and well being is his business, if he is looking after himself then it shouldn’t matter what others think, say, or preach.

You’ll get there eventually, just try not to overdo things in the present.
Me and your mother care about you deeply.

Or something like that.

[Twalli]

Get him involved in a sport. Having teammates will help him. It may take some adjustments for them to help each other, and it won't always be obvious, but once he and his teammates respect each other he'll have a good support system of people his own age to help. I'm tiny and skinny, I joined the wrestling team and it helped in a lot of ways that I didn't notice until later.

[EmmaMary]

Congratulations on winning a Troll of the day award.

"The culprit is fatphobic society"... What a complete and utter load of fucking Bollox.

[EmmaMary]

Thank you for the MHO.

[Abbycado]

Intuitive eating sounds like bs and the culprit.

[Asker]

The culprit is fatphobic society. My son is healthy and has no reason to be ashamed.

[Abbycado]

“My intuition says eat three candy bars”

“Good boy!”

Yeah, and if your son is healthy then why would “fatphobic” be a problem? 🙄

[Asker]

You confuse being fat with being unhealthy. My son may be "fat", as he eats "unhealthy" food, but he has no health problems. It's due to fatphobia that people believe otherwise.

[Abbycado]

Wait until that catches up with him. You’re sure to win mother of the year when he is diabetic from all the unhealthy food his intuition tells him to eat. Ffs grow up. @EmmaMary

[nl171]

That’s a tough one. My confidence was really low in that time in my life but I blossomed after high school

[Anonymous]

Teach him how to workout and to eat healthy.

[Asker]

He already eats healthy. He eats just what his body tells him to eat.

[Opinion Owner]

Is he a vegetarian?

[Asker]

No, he isn't.

[Opinion Owner]

Maybe he should become a vegetarian.

[MasterKS]

Be his friend and make him comfortable. Mom plays a vital role.

[seeyounexttuesday]

he’s not healthy if he’s bigger.

[wkhan_87]

Make him a sport guy.