Bullying and Verbal Abuse.
The following is an excerpt from "Friendly Mirrors and Contented Closets"
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Girls and boys struggling with obesity are obvious targets of
scrutiny and bullying. The autobiographical passages of Alice and Kevin (Chapters Eight and
Nine) sadly illustrate this point. These children can find school so painful that they become
truant or have excessive absences. They are ashamed of their appearance to the point that they
socialize very little and are too embarrassed to join an after-school activity. So, they cope the
best they can. An Internet addiction can maintain their social skills and enhance self-esteem,
but keeps them isolated and withdrawn. The use of drugs and alcohol by succumbing to peer
pressure can give an overweight child a feeling that they belong and quell inevitable social
anxiety. Illegal behavior can make an obese child feel strong and powerful. These children suffer
silently, and, amidst an educational atmosphere that recognizes all kinds of "special needs,"
addressing their health and social needs literally "falls through the cracks."
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