Do No Harm
The concept of "Do No Harm" is important to
continually stress with parents, educators, health professionals and
the media when addressing childhood overweight and obesity. Harm
can result when children or teens receive the message that their
personal worth is related to their body size. Labeling children as obese
and placing children on weight loss diets has the potential for harm.
Extreme care should be taken to preserve self esteem and prevent
negative outcomes such as depression, disordered eating, and even
malnutrition. These "Do No Harm" concepts are consistent with
the philosophy of the Children and Weight Coalition.
Our Coalition's Philosophical Basis for Children and Weight
Projects:
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We
recognize each child as a unique individual and each family as a unique
group of individuals.
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We
celebrate differences in body size and shape among children and adults.
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We
view all bodies as good bodies. There
is no such thing as a bad body.
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We
respect the bodies of others even though they might be different from
our own. We encourage
children to demonstrate respect for the bodies of others.
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We
believe that approaches to decreasing pediatric obesity must be based on
sound scientific research, as well as the guiding principle of “do no
harm”.
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We
believe that the best way to decrease obesity is to create environments
that promote healthy lifestyles.
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We
promote body satisfaction, self-esteem, and a positive body image for
children and adults.
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We
believe that the vast majority of parents love their children and are
committed to fostering their health and welfare.
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We
know that our children are our future; we are strongly committed to
caring for them and creating a world in which they can thrive.
