How to Stop Weight and Diet Talk Around Your Kids

If you’ve decided to stop diet and weight talk in your home, you may start noticing something uncomfortable. Other adults your child loves and looks up to may not know how powerful their words about food, bodies, and exercise can be.

A grandparent comments on how much your child ate. Another relative compliments looking skinny. Your best friend suggests going for a run to “work off” food.

These comments about body and weight from friends and family are usually meant kindly. Still, they can shape how kids think about their bodies and food in ways we don’t always see right away.

For many parents and caregivers, this creates a tough spot. You want to protect your child, but you don’t want to create tension or hurt feelings. Speaking up can feel awkward and uncomfortable, especially with family and friends.

Why Talking to Other Adults Feels So Hard

Changing how you talk is one thing. Asking another adult to change how they talk around your child can feel much harder.

Family members often repeat diet culture messages they grew up with. Many truly don’t know that comments about food and bodies can affect kids’ health over time. But this isn’t about blame or wrongdoing; it’s about helping everyone move in the same direction.

Kids don’t just learn from parents or caregivers. They absorb messages from all trusted adults around them, and sometimes even more deeply than from parents.

Guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics explains that focusing on weight or appearance can negatively affect children’s mental and physical health, even when the intention is to help.

A Helpful Mindset Shift Before You Speak Up

It helps to set your goal before starting a conversation with a friend or family member about their comments on weight and diets.

You don’t need to explain everything you’ve learned or convince someone they’re wrong. You’re simply inviting them to learn how to best help support your child’s well-being.

This shift can make the conversation feel lighter and less personal.

Asking another adult to change how they talk to and around kids might feel tricky or uncomfortable, but it doesn’t have to be.

How to Talk to Family Members About Food and Body Comments

When you do decide to speak up, keeping it simple usually works best. Many parents find it helpful to focus on a few core ideas:

• Lead with shared care for your child
• Mention that kids are always listening
• Focus on what helps your child feel at ease
• Avoid pointing out what someone did “wrong”

Share Helpful Resources and Articles

If it feels useful, you can follow up your conversation by sharing articles that explain what weight talk is and why diet-focused language can be harmful, especially when kids hear it from multiple adults.

Sometimes the relationship is complicated, you’re tired of explaining, or you worry the conversation will turn emotional.

In those moments, it’s okay to take a different approach. Many parents choose to step out of the middle by sharing a resource (like the one below) instead of having a long conversation. This gives family members space to learn without putting you in the position of saying everything perfectly.

What to Say Guide for Friends & Family

The What to Say Guide for Friends & Family was created for situations just like this. It offers clear, practical guidance on how adults can talk about food, bodies, and exercise in ways that support kids’ mental and physical health.

Parents can use this free PDF guide to:

• Share their values without lecturing
• Invite family members to learn at their own pace
• Create more consistency for kids across caregivers

It’s a practical, printable way to say, “This matters to us, and we’d love your help.”

→ Download Your Free Guide Here
(It’s an instant download. No email required!)

You’re not overreacting by caring about this. You’re simply being thoughtful. And every adult who joins you helps create an environment where kids can grow up feeling comfortable in their bodies and with food.

This resource is made possible by the generous support of RBC Wealth Management.

Want more tips on how to help kids feel good in their bodies and with food? Sign up for Tip of the Month for free, practical guidance delivered right to your inbox every month.