10 Things That Adults Often Struggle With If They Grew Up Overweight (5 of 6)

Having Trouble Accepting Compliments

Children who were teased or criticized frequently sometimes grow up unsure of how to handle praise. Compliments may feel uncomfortable or unbelievable. Adults who had this experience might downplay achievements or brush off kind words because deep down, they learned early on that positive attention was rare or conditional. Trusting praise means challenging years of internalized doubt.

Mindless or Fast Eating Habits

Some kids learned to eat quickly, maybe to avoid unwanted comments, to grab food before siblings took it, or to hide what they were eating. Over time, this becomes an unconscious habit. As adults, they may inhale food without tasting it or finish meals in minutes. It’s rarely intentional eating. It’s simply an old survival strategy turned automatic pattern, one that makes mindful eating more challenging.