The headlines across the country on bullying has been both shocking and tragic.  From Massachusetts, Phoebe Prince, to South Florida and two horrific acts of school violence that could be linked to bullying, it is time bullying it stops.

A new study confirms other research that chubby children are more likely to be the victims of bullying. About one-third of kids in the USA weigh too much. Researchers at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor analyzed the bullying incidents of 821 children ages 8 to 11.

The odds of being bullied were 63 percent higher for kids who were overweight than their classmates of an average weight, according to researchers, and the bullies did not discriminate based on gender or economic status. Overweight boys were just as likely as girls to be bullied by their peers and surprisingly, those with good social skills weren’t spared from the bullying either.

As children struggle today with peer pressure and self-esteem, it is imperative that parents keep the lines of communication open with their children. 

Some schools are creating Anti-Bullying Clubs.  More parents, teachers and schools need to ban together to help start an organization in their schools. 

USA Today recently published an article, Chubby Kids Get Bullied More Often.  Obesity can effect not only your child’s physical health, but also their mental health.  Being teased and bully can literally destroy your child’s self-esteem leading to depression and worse. 

Isn’t it time you and your family take the time to learn how to eat and live healthy? 

First Coast News, Jacksonville is challenging families to participate in Kick It Up!  Kick It Up initiative to fight obesity and improve the health of all Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia residents.

Obesity and bullying are both preventable.  Education is key, learn to eat healthy, exercise and treat others as you would like to be treated.