Teachers raise alarm over girls skipping meals due to body-shaming

Monicah Wambui said some learners were refusing to eat while at school after their parents described them as being too big, making it difficult for teachers to persuade them to maintain healthy eating habits.

Wambui warned that negative remarks about children’s physical appearance could undermine their self-confidence and affect their relationship with food, potentially putting their health and well-being at risk.

She urged parents to be mindful of how they discuss their children’s body sizes, encouraging them to adopt positive and supportive approaches that promote healthy eating habits and protect children’s emotional well-being.

The concerns have also renewed calls for parents to embrace positive cultural values that encourage responsible parenting and the proper upbringing of children.

Meanwhile, educationist Francis Kago has urged parents and guardians to take greater responsibility for their children’s welfare during the long school holiday.

Kago called on parents to remain actively involved in their children’s lives while they are away from school, ensuring they are safe, adequately cared for and guided towards responsible behaviour.