Dear Fat: re your niece who's only 9:

I would have a doctor check her for physical and emotional reasons why she's that weight.

Being the fat kid at school means the fat kid gets teased. Kids are cruel and you don't want your niece to suffer.

I was chubby, looked a lot older than I was as the fat fills in the breasts. The guys started whistling at me and making remarks. I was a very young girl is not mature enough to handle that type of unwanted attention. I felt very uncomfortable.

Perhaps something's going on in this young girl's life that is making her turn to food. Maybe she's trying to fill an emotional void. Maybe something's bothering her or maybe she's afraid of something.

My mom, out of ignorance, didn't do anything. So I suffered the consequences.

Sincerely, Chiqui