MATTHEW McNUTT

Talking to kids about weight

tjosm

Some of you already know that I have a column in the Journal of Student Ministries, a professional journal for youth pastors and youth workers.  The column is entitled “Tending the Temple,” and it’s focus is connecting spiritual health and physical health.  I’ve had a lot of fun writing for it over the last couple years since writing is a hobby I happen to get a lot joy from!  Anyway, I’ve finally gotten around to uploading my latest columns from the last couple issues.  Just click on the link below to read the article.

This particular column dealt with the subject of talking to kids about weight.  Specifically, it’s geared towards youth workers … what’s appropriate, what is our role as youth leaders, should we be saying or doing anything?  These are some of the questions I was working through when I wrote this.  Let me know what you think!

Tending the Temple: Talking to Kids About Weight (July/August, 2008)

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4 responses to “Talking to kids about weight”

  1. Kim Avatar
    Kim

    Matt, I have to admit when I saw what the subject of this was going to be I got nervous inside. How do you bring up weight with anyone, let alone a teeanager who is sill trying to figure out who they are and where their identity lies? Thoughts flooded my head of when my parents tried to bribe me to lose weight, offering me money or clothes if I achieved a goal, but never following up with help on how to do that or by changing the food we had in the house I was just supposed to know what healthy food and portions looked like. But more importantly, they never addressed the heart issue of why I was overweight. I am glad to see such a good article about being an example, not talking about diets but lifestyle, and partnering with them if you do approach them about it. My other recommendation is to never do it publicly…as you well know…that is not helpful.

    Reply
  2. Loren Avatar
    Loren

    Matt, Good article I enjoyed reading it. I tried to remember when anyone ever made fun of your weight in school. Couldn't come up with one and I never remember thinking of you as anything but skinny. On the other hand i remember feeling teased about my weight, but I bet you don't remember any one teasing me for that. It is interesting as we look back at the past the memories that return to us and the self-perceptions we had.

    Reply
  3. Ross Avatar
    Ross

    Maybe my memory is getting dim. However when I was a kid nearly all my after school hours were spent tearing around the bush country near where I lived, or a bit later in life surfing & swimming at one of the best beaches in the world…Scarborough Beach in Perth, West Aussie. As a result I could have eaten a cow every day & not put on an ounce.
    Today the bush is all gone. Going to the beach is dangerous…so they say. And the kids are stuck at home playing on their computers…well that's not a bad excuse is it?

    Reply
  4. Matthew McNutt Avatar
    Matthew McNutt

    Loren … most of the teasing actually happened my first year down there; you showed up the second year I was there. I was overweight and there was a lot of joking, but honestly, that wasn't what really fazed me so much as the one or two staff members that made fun of me. I vaguely remember being teased by students from time to time, but can't remember specific instances; on the other hand, I can very much remember the times when it came from adults. Interesting the power adults have in kids life, right? On the other hand, I do vaguely remember you being confused one time that someone made a fat joke to me and you didn't think I was – but then, you hadn't seen me sophomore year when I showed up the chubby new kid. : )

    Reply

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