Leighann, 16, Student
Mom and brother harass her for being overweight
5’6” and 260 lbs.

Leighann says that her mom’s harassment about her weight makes her feel worthless. She says that her brother’s cruel tormenting also brings her down. She says that she desperately wants to lose 100 pounds because she’s been unhappy and overweight for as long as she can remember.

WHAT DOES YOUR MOM SAY TO YOU ABOUT YOUR WEIGHT?
She’ll call me a “Fat Bitch!” She’ll tell me to get out of my room and go for a walk. If I don’t do something right away, my mom will say “You’re ugly, you fat bitch!” Or, if I ask her if I’m ugly, she’ll say, “Yes, you’re ugly, you fat bitch!” One time I was sweeping in the kitchen, and I left because didn’t feel like doing anything. She said, “Get back here, you fat bitch!” Recently, I was sitting in my room writing and playing music. She came in my room and said, “Get out, you fat bitch! Do something.” So I left for the whole day.

WHAT DOES YOUR BROTHER KEVIN SAY TO YOU?
He started calling me an “Oompa Loompa” lately. He’s called me “Fat Ass.” He’ll call me a “Cow,” “Pig,” “Moo-Moo.” He makes up some names, too. I hurt him when he calls me names. My mom just laughs.

HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN MOM SAYS STUFF?

I feel worthless. I feel like no one cares. I don’t cry because I’m used to it. I’m used to people calling me names. It’s gotten to the point where I believe them. I call myself fat, ugly, disgusting – whatever everyone else calls me. I instant message people that my mom is driving me nuts.

HOW DOES WHAT YOUR MOM AND KEVIN SAY AFFECT YOUR WEIGHTLOSS?
It makes it harder because it says, “They don’t care, so why should I bother losing weight?” If they stopped making negative comments, I think it would be easier to lose weight if they stopped making those comments.

WHAT DO YOU EAT IN A TYPICAL DAY?
Usually if I have money, I’ll get a Slushee and a cookie. Every day I eat hamburgers and fries for lunch. In the morning, I’ll eat cereal – Cocoa Crispies and Fruit Loops – or eggs if my mom makes them. I’ll have a glass of soda when I get home. If there’s cookies around or Pop Tarts, I’ll eat them. Then I’ll eat when my mom makes supper. We eat meatloaf with mashed potatoes. Then I’ll have ice cream for dessert. Before I go to bed I’ll have some pudding, either vanilla or chocolate.

WHY DO YOU EAT SO MUCH?
I eat to comfort myself. It makes me feel better. Ice cream is my comfort food. It also makes me feel better about the stuff my mom and Kevin say. I do turn to food for comfort. Sometimes when I’m bored, when I’m just sitting down and I don’t feel like doing anything I’ll grab some food and just watch TV or listen to the radio.

WHAT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DO YOU GET?
I don’t get a lot. That’s why I was in pain during training camp for marching band. We spent a week learning our moves all day. I was the only one who was in pain from all the activity. I did cheerleading when I was in 8th grade and had fun, but in high school, they’re looking for a stereotypical beauty. I tried out and didn’t make it. They didn’t tell me why, but I think it’s because of my size. I play a dance-move video game because it’s too much work to actually dance.

HOW MUCH WEIGHT WOULD YOU LIKE TO LOSE?
A lot. I weigh 260 pounds and I’d like to get to 160 pounds. I think about whom I would talk to, hang out with and how I would dress if that is what I weigh. I’d like to go to prom, but guys don’t pay any attention to me right now. They stare at me and give me dirty looks because of my size. I’ve never had a boyfriend, but I’d like one. I really want to go to prom, so I hope I can lose weight by the spring.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD MAKE YOU HAPPIER?
I have never been happy. Looking back at pictures, I was skinny back in first grade, then I started gaining weight in second grade. I just kept eating, I guess. Everyone on my mother’s side is fat. My cousins are fat. It runs in the family.