Hey Coach,
I’m worried about my buddy. He's a dude in 7th grade like me and he is just a little shorter… but what worries me is that he is only 61 pounds! Should I be worried and encourage him to gain a little more weight or just leave him alone???
Mickey Mouse
Dear Mickey Mouse,
It’s very good for you to be concerned about your friend. Friends should be honest with each other and if there is something on your mind, you should let your buddy know about it. The important thing is not to say anything that may hurt or embarrass your friend. You have to be subtle because this is a very sensitive subject.
Self-Esteem Situation
Most kids are very self-conscious about the way they look. That means that they are worried about it. Anything you say about how your friend looks may be very hurtful and could crush his self-esteem and confidence. Be careful! It might be a good idea not to say anything at all about the way your friend looks.
Eating Encouragement
There are many ways you can go about trying to help your friend without saying anything at all! Here are some suggestions:
Chomp
- Invite your friend over for meals (make sure your mom or dad makes some yummy food your friend likes)
- Go out for fruit smoothies
- Talk about your favorite foods
- Encourage your friend to get some exercise with you
Exercising
Make sure when you try all these suggestions to help your friend that you are very subtle. Don’t go overboard and put pressure on your buddy, but just be cool about it. If your friend is not going along with any of your ideas, and he becomes sick or low on energy… you should tell a school councilor.
