My 10yo told me today "I'm not fastening my coat up - it makes me look fat"

[plonker]

She said it so matter of factly that I didn't know how to react. I told her not to be so ridiculous because I couldn't think of anything else to say

Should alarm bells be ringing here, or is this a 'normal' thing for a 10yo to say?

She wasn't upset btw and just shrugged when I told her she was being silly.

I should add that she isn't fat in the slightest! She weighs around 4 stone so is probably slightly underweight. She does a lot of sport and has to wear a leotard a lot so she is very aware of her body shape and the shape of other children both older and younger than herself.

Would you be concerned and what would you do/how would you handle it?

Listen, I have a 6 year old DD and an 8 year old DS and both have asked me recently if I think they're fat!

One of our biggest influences has been all the healthy eating stuff going on in school - both of them have had it 'taught' to them since day 1 in reception. The messages about healthy eating have become entwined with the message about weight, unhealthiness, body shape, etc.

When I was 8, none of this stuff was in my head. None of it.

I'm taking the line of reassurance first, then "all things in moderation". S'no good getting them tied up in knots about every piece of food that goes in their gobs. I say "you can eat what ever you want. ENJOY what you are eating but eat a bit of everything and not a load of one thing"! I think I'm aiming for guilt-free food consumption.

Bloody frustrating and stupid to have to deal with this crap with children so young. Makes me mad as trapped rat to be honest.

Its horrid isnt it! My 8yo and 11yo DD have both mentioned being "fat". Infact my youngest was aware of "fat" when she was 5 or 6! .
Neither are although my 11yo is developing and getting hips and boobs now! My 8yo is tiny tiny!!

Sadly I think its the society we live in and the healthy eating topics they do at school.

There will be a generation of children who will lack vital vitamins and will be every bit as unhealthy as the 'chubby' kids.