Karan Johar made a startling admission that has sparked a broader conversation about parenting and body image.
In conversation with journalist Faye D’Souza on her podcast ‘A Candid Conversation with Faye D’Souza,’ the filmmaker confessed to fat-shaming his 7-year-old son Yash during a family holiday, expressing his paranoia about weight issues.
He said, “(The comment) came out, and I’m deeply, deeply apologetic to my child. I said, ‘Yash, you’ve put on weight.’ I said it this time, we were on a holiday. I went into my room and said, ‘Why did you do this!’ Then I went outside, hugged him, and said, ‘I’m really sorry, please eat what you want’,”
Karan Johar continued how seeing his son eating sugar “breaks my heart”. “I see he’s put on weight more than he is, I am so paranoid for him. I don’t want to say it to him because this is the age I want him to live life. I want him to be happy and joyful because he is a happy child. But I can see the genetic… I can’t call it a flaw, I get it from my mom and I know he’s getting it from me.”
To cope with the hurt caused by fat-shaming, some kids might develop unhealthy eating habits. (Source: Freepik)
This not only sheds light on the prevalence of body image concerns in society but also raises important questions about the long-term impact of such attitudes on children. Gurleen Baruah, organizational psychologist and executive coach at That Culture Thing, says, “Children who are fat-shamed often internalise negative messages about their bodies. They may start to believe they are not worthy or lovable because of their size. This erosion of self-esteem can persist into adulthood, making it difficult for them to feel confident and secure in their own skin.”
She adds that being fat-shamed can increase a child’s risk of developing anxiety and depression. “The constant criticism and bullying can make them feel isolated and unloved, leading to feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and fear. These mental health issues can continue into adulthood, affecting their overall quality of life.”
Additionally, children subjected to fat-shaming may develop body dysmorphic disorder, where they obsess over perceived flaws in their appearance. This can result in excessive grooming, mirror-checking, and even seeking unnecessary cosmetic procedures in an attempt to ‘fix’ their appearance, Baruah emphasises.
Potential relationship between early experiences of fat-shaming and the development of eating disorders
When kids are teased or criticised for their weight, they often start to believe those negative comments about themselves. Baruah says, “This can lead to feelings of shame and guilt about their bodies, making them feel bad about who they are.”
She continues, “To cope with the hurt caused by fat-shaming, some kids might develop unhealthy eating habits. They might start to eat too little, leading to anorexia, or eat too much in secret, leading to binge eating disorder or bulimia. This is a manifestation of how psychological trauma from fat-shaming can translate into disordered eating patterns.”
Additionally, fat-shaming can cause people to go on and off diets frequently, losing weight only to gain it back again. “This yo-yo dieting is not only harmful to physical health but can also make someone feel like a failure, further damaging their relationship with food,” Baruah notes.
The stress from fat-shaming can actually lead to weight gain and obesity, she says. Stress affects hormones that control weight, causing more fat to be stored in the body. Obesity increases the risk of health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Strategies parents can adopt to promote healthy body image and self-esteem in their children
Here are some effective approaches parents can adopt, as mentioned by Baruah:
Encourage healthy habits and lead by example: Focus on teaching the importance of nutritious eating, regular physical activity, and adequate sleep for overall well-being, rather than emphasising weight or appearance. Demonstrate a healthy relationship with food and exercise yourself.
Praise their efforts and skills: Focus on praising your child’s efforts and achievements rather than their physical appearance. Celebrate their hard work, skills, and talents.
Teach media literacy: Help your child understand that the images they see in the media are often unrealistic and edited. Discuss how the media can portray an ideal body image that is not achievable for most people.
Promote open conversations and body positivity: Make sure your child feels safe talking about their feelings. Teach them that all body types are valuable and that health and happiness come in many shapes and sizes.
Address bullying and seek professional help if needed: Take any bullying or teasing about weight seriously and work with schools or relevant parties to address the issue. Talk to them about their feelings and work with their school or other relevant parties to address the issue.
"I get it from my mom and I know he's getting it from me," said Karan Johar. (Photo: Karan Johar/Instagram) 
To cope with the hurt caused by fat-shaming, some kids might develop unhealthy eating habits. (Source: Freepik)
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