DD thinks she’s fat

[Chocwocdoodah]

Out of nowhere today, DD aged 7 said that sometimes when she sees herself in her leotard at school, she thinks she looks fat.

She is not in the least bit overweight and I’ve never heard her say anything like this before. I panicked a bit, asked her if another child had said something mean to her (she said no) and told her she was absolutely not fat and that there was nothing wrong with her body.

The whole family is a healthy weight and none of us diets or obsesses about our weight so I don’t know where this came from. I’m just wondering the best way to nip this in the bud if she mentions it again and what positive things I should say if she says it again?

Oh dear, I’ve not got much advice but could it be something she’s picked up from watching something on Tv/YouTube or the like? Or kids at school say it about their girls (not her)?
Coming from a family of overweight and/or diet obsessed people I really feel for your daughter, I would say just keep telling her she‘s beautiful and perfect and try to build up her confidence... but also maybe tell her that „fat“ is not a nice word to use to describe anyone, maybe she’s heard other people say it about somebody else? I would want my child to understand that people come in all shapes and sizes and as long as it’s within a healthy range either way it’s not something to worry about or to comment on...
My DCs are much younger so this sort of things hasn’t really come up yet, so I can’t talk from experience - maybe someone else will.

That’s good advice. She caught me off guard and I just felt really aware that I needed to say something that reflected the importance of character over looks etc and that people come in all shapes and sizes but it’s what’s inside that counts, as you say.
Think you’re right, could be something she’s heard at school.