Association of bullying victimization with overweight and obesity among adolescents from 41 low‐ and middle‐income countries

Abstract

Summary Background Data on the association between overweight/obesity and bullying victimization among adolescents are scarce from low‐ and middle‐income countries. Objectives We assessed the associations between overweight/obesity and bullying victimization in 41 low‐ and middle‐income countries. Methods Cross‐sectional data from the Global School‐based Student Health Survey were analysed. Data on past 30‐day bullying victimization (including type) and body mass index based on measured weight and height were collected. The 2007 WHO Child Growth reference was used to define overweight and obesity. Multivariable logistic regression (multinomial and binary) and meta‐analyses based on country‐wise estimates were conducted. Data on 114 240 adolescents aged 12 to 15 years were analysed (mean age [SD], 13.8 [1.0] y; 48.8% girls). Results Among girls, compared with normal weight, overweight (OR = 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02‐1.16; between‐country heterogeneity I2 = 0.0%) and obesity (OR = 1.20; 95% CI, 1.07‐1.34; I2 = 0.0%) were associated with significantly higher odds for any bullying victimization, but no significant association was observed among boys. However, overweight and obesity were both associated with significantly increased odds for bullying by being made fun of because of physical appearance among both sexes—obesity (vs normal weight): girls OR = 3.42 (95% CI, 2.49‐4.71); boys OR = 2.38 (95% CI, 1.67‐3.37). Conclusions Effective strategies to reduce bullying of children with overweight/obesity are needed in low‐ and middle‐income countries.

Bullying victimization and obesogenic behaviour among adolescents aged 12 to 15 years from 54 low‐ and middle‐income countries

“…One factor that has been shown to be associated with bullying victimization among adolescents is overweight and obesity 4‐7 . Adolescents with overweight or obesity may be more likely to be bullied owing to their physical appearance.…”

“…One factor that has been shown to be associated with bullying victimization among adolescents is overweight and obesity. [4][5][6][7] Adolescents with overweight or obesity may be more likely to be bullied owing to their physical appearance. Indeed, adolescents with overweight and obesity are often stigmatized as they may be perceived by their peers, to lack self-discipline and to be incompetent and lazy.…”

“…Moreover, to our knowledge there is no existing literature looking specifically at the relationship between bullying victimization and carbonated soft drink consumption or sedentary behaviour. 5 Studies from LMICs are particularly important as they represent 90% of the world's adolescent population, 15 and LMICs are experiencing a rapid increase in overweight and obesity likely owing to lifestyle changes such as poor diet and lack of physical activity. 16 Furthermore, one large cross-sectional study found that adolescents with overweight and obesity may be more likely to be bullied in LMICs, 5 but this study did not assess the degree to which bullied adolescents engage in obesogenic behaviour.…”

Weight‐based teasing in youth: Associations with metabolic and inflammatory markers

“…As it is well‐documented that youth with overweight and obesity report greater frequency of WBT than youth without, 17,18,20,49,50 it will also be important to assess severity of WBT in future studies of youth with high body weight. Although studies of adults typically dichotomize weight‐based discrimination, 9,11,12 future studies should aim to determine whether there is a “dose‐response” to teasing, such that youths with more frequent or persistent teasing present with greater cardiometabolic risk as compared to youths with less frequent or no reported teasing.…”

Simposio 18: Factores psicosociales en obesidad infantil: su impacto en la morbimortalidad

“…Este tipo de malnutrición tiene gran impacto en la salud de los niños, niñas y adolescentes y, en general, los equipos de salud encargados de su tratamiento y prevención ponen más énfasis en las complicaciones biológicas de la misma (por ejemplo, hipertensión arterial, diabetes) (1). Sin embargo, varias publicaciones muestran una mayor morbilidad en el área de la salud mental durante la niñez (baja autoestima, depresión y matonaje escolar) (2,3).…”