Obesity in children and bullying: the teachers' viewpoint

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perception of teachers in regard of the problems faced obese students in the school, as well as to associate such problems with the definition of bullying. Sixty-three teachers from the public schools in a city belonging to the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro and they were asked an open question concerning the problems faced by overweight students. Intentionally, the question did not mention the word bullying. The principal researcher reached the teachers in their own schools, in a moment of rest or when students were performing activities that did not require the teacher's direct intervention. Responses were grouped in seventeen categories and the results showed that, according to the teachers, the problem most commonly faced by overweight students is prejudice. In addition, other problems faced by these students include exclusion, shyness and low self-esteem. The results also showed negative attitudes by the teacher in relation to the students who sometimes were described as apathetic, unexcited, tired, slow, absent-minded, lazy, unwilling, etc.; this data indicates the possibility that the teacher him/herself could be the perpetrator of bullying. The research findings are evidence that more studies are required in order to seek a better understanding of the teacher role towards the discrimination of overweight students, especially those who are victims of bullying, so that it will be possible to go further in devising actions to promote cultural diversity in the schools.