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For Children, Teens, and Young Adults
And for parents, teachers,
counselors, and health professionals—those who love and work with them
As Radiance: The
Magazine for Large Women, enters its 14th year in print... as
women of size are feeling better and stronger within themselves, we find
ourselves naturally turning to look at the younger generation and
examining their sense of well-being. What we see is that we need to
extend support to young girls and boys around issues of body size,
acceptance, and self-esteem.
More than 60% of eight-year-old girls are
dieting. Many think they're fat; 90% are not. Affluent toddlers have
shown failure-to-thrive because their parents, fearing fat offspring,
underfeed them. In a Glamour magazine survey in 1988, more than 80% of
the women who responded said they fear getting fat more than they fear
dying. And in studies of first graders, fat kids are still chosen last
as friends and teammates, and are still called on less by teachers. Last
year, a young boy shot and killed a fellow student who had continually
harrassed him because he was fat. And in the past two years, two young
boys shot and killed themselves after being teased about their weight
once too often.
Chubby kids continue to struggle with
issues of self-worth, body image, and self-esteem. They continue to
suffer from peer rejection because of their body size and shape.
Teachers don't know what to do; nor do parents. Supportive information
on how to help large children lead happy, healthy lives at whatever size
they are meant to be must be communicated to parents, caregivers,
teachers, youth workers, and health professionals. In future issues of Radiance, not only will we expand to
include the voices of our younger generation, but we will also provide
information to those who care for our children.
These issues must be addressed NOW.
If you'd like to help, or have ideas or suggestions, please contact us
at info@radiancemagazine.com
Alice Ansfield,
Publisher, Editor, Founder
Please share your stories.
Your voices should be heard.
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