“Common sense is not always enough”: preschool educators’ perspectives on young children’s engagement with bodies and weight

Purpose The study explored how preschool educators perceive and respond to young children’s interactions around bodies and weight, to understand educators’ readiness to mitigate early weight bias and stigma.Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Swedish preschool educators (n = 23, all female, mean experience = 18.7 years, 78% with a university degree). Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.Results Three themes were identified. Neutral understanding of bodies included Friendship beyond body size and Innocent curiosity, capturing educators’ views that children’s interactions around bodies and weight had limited impact on social relationships. The emergence of weight bias included Weight stigma with intention and Feeling and being different. Educators described deliberate stigmatising behaviours and signs of children internalising weight stigma. Meanings and responsibilities around children’s bodies included Challenging early weight labelling, Extending weight stigma to parents, and Sensitive topics with limited support. Educators expressed that labelling children as having obesity might cause psychological harm; others recognised obesity as a concern tied to parental practices. Educators described feeling responsible to model inclusive practices, yet lacked structured guidance.Conclusions Training and support could help educators address discussions around bodies and weight sensitively, foster positive body image, and reduce weight bias in preschool settings.