
It's hard to be confident when you don't fit in society standards plus being bullied for it. They will grow up to realize it's no one fucking business how you look.In my personal experience I reached I point where I just don't give a fuck about people's opinions and I started just caring what I think of myself.I think it has to do more with age than anything to be honest

because you're athletic, they won't approach you unless they have seen you interacting with someone who is similar to them. Although it seems like it comes from insecurity because of their body type, it's actually just a self-defense mechanism. If they approach you without knowing your preferences--it would make you both uncomfortable. Even if someone is confident, hearing the words "you're not my type" would hurt anyone. I have no problem approaching a guy first, but I observe how he interacts with people my size first as to avoid uncomfortable situations. When I write it out it seems silly, but because there's a lack of affection for chubby girls--You have to make sure no one is going to break your spirit from one conversation.

Sometimes it depends on their situation a bit. A woman can be thin and gorgeous and still have major self esteem issues. And women in abusive relationships *at least from what I've seen* always have poor self esteem. If you're told your unattractive enough times you believe it.
Sometimes its not that they never grew out of it but that they weren't allowed to. And of course every woman has body issues no matter how confidant.
I think a growth in confidence is normal as you get older unless something stops it? I have very good self esteem even if I'm chubby...and I haven't really had anything to stop that. While my sister is far thinner than me and has the self esteem of a maggot. But she's with a guy that goes after her self esteem on a regular basis....
Lots of guys like chubby girls but are scared to admit it when they're young. It's not the majority but there are still quite a few. The reason why chubby girls may not get or keep boyfriends is because of the huge lack of confidence and the amount of depression they have. They are paranoid about their weight and appearance which is REALLY exhausting for the guy since he wants your attention. And there is the flip side who put on the pretense of being over confident radical feminist and that only chubby girls are beautiful. Both suck.
I like chubby girls, but since my hobbies are too athletic i don't really meet chubby girls. T^T