The study, by the University of Liverpool, used a set of three identical stories about a cat stuck in a tree, each with a different version of the main character. The character, Alfie, was depicted in three different ways: as slim, overweight and in a wheelchair. Out of the 126 boys and girls aged between 4-7 only 1 in 4 children chose the overweight version of Alfie as a potential friend. They also said that he was less likely to do well at school, get invited to parties or to be happy with the way he looks (Daily Mail, 2013).

The version of Alfie in a wheelchair was also marked down on a variety of criteria, but far more of the children were interested in becoming his friend than with the overweight version of Alfie. An overwhelming number considered the slim version of Alfie to be the most popular and successful, and the majority of the children asked would consider him to be their friend.

The BBC reported that the lead researcher of the study, Professor Andrew Hill, said:

“Young kids like this are a social barometer. They are telling us that society is so conscious of body shape that even young children are able to mirror back what we say about obesity. We have a real habit of equating fatness with bad and children are reflecting this back to us. Parents and teachers should be aware of this” (BBC, 2013).

This study shows that society’s prejudice against overweight people is filtering down to our children. We need to teach our children to accept everyone, no matter who they are or what they look like, and to help them understand that everyone deserves to be treated the same.  In order for this to happen, we need to address our own prejudices and set a positive example that they can follow.

BuyaGift.com are offering one lucky child the chance to have their short story illustrated and published, and are sending all the proceeds to the Make a Wish Foundation.

The only conditions are that the child must be under the age of 10 and the story must be called The Unexpected Gift, but the story can be about anything at all. Perhaps an old treasure chest is washed up on a beach full of gold coins? Or a present from Father Christmas suddenly comes alive? The list is endless!

Entries will be judged by a panel that includes People’s Book Prize winner Giles Paley-Phillips and noted children’s illustrator Emma O-Donovan.

“I am hugely honoured to be judging this extremely exciting writing competition, which is set to inspire some budding new writers” said author Giles Paley-Phillips.

If you would like to submit your child’s short story then the entry should be emailed to writeyourownstories@buyagift.com. You can find out more information about the competition at BuyaGift.com.

So what are you waiting for, get writing!