Dine & Cook | Alternative food journalism

There has been a lot of discussion recently regarding bullying, but some psychologists believe bullying about weight has been left out of the national dialogue.

Research shows that children who are bullied about their weight, especially in their preteen years, are highly susceptible to developing negative self image, and poor body dissatisfaction, which can last into adulthood-- often developing into eating disorders.

"We know that weight bullying happens to a lot of children," said Dena Cabrera, PsyD, psychologist and director of educational outreach at Remuda Ranch Programs for Eating and Anxiety Disorders.  "Bullying can perpetuate the cycle of lack of exercise as well as using food as a source of comfort."

According to Dr. Cabrera a lot can be done do to stop bullying about weight.  For example, parents play a key role in creating a home environment that fosters healthful eating and physical activity.

Healthy eating is important and doctors say there are large discrepancies between how people think they are eating and what doctors are actually seeing on the scale.  According to research, regardless of their children's BMI category, most parents seem content overall with their family's eating habits. Children echoed their parents' sentiments with most also seeming satisfied with their own eating habits.

"Many kids feel unsafe in school and unsafe in their own bodies," says Cabrera.  "Weightism is the last form of socially acceptable prejudice.  We hear so many negative comments around us and in the media about people's sizes and shapes, and it's often commented on without any sensitivity or regard."

It is estimated that as many as 33 percent of American children and adolescents are obese.