Abstract

In Chile, 54.1% of children are classified as higher weight. However, there is limited understanding of children's experiences with their weight and how these experiences might inform public health policy in Chile. Objective: To explore the meanings of health, growth, weight, and bodies among children who have had clinical diagnosis of overweight or obese, and their mothers’ experiences. Methods: 34 online semi-structured interviews were conducted with children between 10-12 years classified as overweight or obese at ANCORA UC clinics and their mothers. A Reflexive Thematic approach to analysis has been adopted (ongoing process PhD studies). Findings: Children and mothers experience excess weight as something undesirable, highly stigmatised, and associated with ideas of abnormality and individual responsibility. Weight loss appears as children’s goal for growing. Weight stigma experiences were reinforced by the clinics and relatives. Health-related practices were impacted by socioeconomic circumstances and gender inequalities. Conclusion: Children feel highly stigmatised by their weight, and individually responsible for this overweight condition. This finding is relevant because this might explain the unintended consequences that the current Chilean policies to reduce overweight are having on children and carers, focusing mainly on behavioural changes such as diet & physical activity and reinforcing weight stigma.