Teasing and Disordered Eating Behaviors in Spanish Adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the associations between peer teasing and body dissatisfaction (BD), emotional symptoms, drive for thinness (DT), and abnormal eating behaviors, as well as to analyze the mediating role of gender and body mass index (BMI) in such disorders. We screened 57,997 school children between 13 and 16 years of age. Scores in weight-related teasing and competency-related teasing were higher among girls, as well as overweight or obese individuals. Weight-teasing correlated more strongly with abnormal eating attitudes and behaviors, whereas competency-teasing correlated with emotional symptoms. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that weight-teasing is significantly and independently associated with BD, especially in boys. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant association between weight-teasing and abnormal eating in girls, although its predictive value was very low (Exp(B) = 1.009). Mediation analysis and Path analysis showed the mediating role of DT in this association. Interventions on teasing do not seem to be a priority in eating disorder prevention programs.

The Source and Impact of Appearance Teasing: An Examination by Sex and Weight Status Among Early Adolescents From the Czech Republic

“…Previous studies in the United States have found that peers and family members are a common source of appearance‐ and weight‐related teasing, with parents—especially the father—encouraging overweight children to control their weight . In addition, several studies in Western countries have found that overweight adolescents are more likely to be victims of weight teasing . Taken together, these findings seem to confirm the idea that stigmatization of overweight adolescents is a widespread problem .…”

“…39 When it comes to teasing about weight, it seems that adolescent girls are more likely to report being teased than boys, a finding observed in Western countries such as the United States and Spain. 38,40,41 Although in our results more boys than girls reported weight teasing, these sex differences disappeared when the analyses were adjusted by weight status. Therefore, independently of sex, the frequency of body-related teasing in both sexes reinforce the idea that the Czech Republic is adopting societal standards of Western countries, 42 emphasizing weight as a central component of physical appearance.…”

“…37,40,43,44 In addition, several studies in Western countries have found that overweight adolescents are more likely to be victims of weight teasing. 41,45,46 Taken together, these findings seem to confirm the idea that stigmatization of overweight adolescents is a widespread problem. 47 Previous studies suggest that the teasing experience is more intense for overweight adolescents, 48 could affect school performance, 49 and could be associated to the development of several other problems that finally could affect the general well-being of overweight adolescents.…”

“…By contrast, boys compared with girls may be more reluctant to talk about their body and appearance‐related experiences, placing less emphasis on their appearance and more on other domains like athletic competence . When it comes to teasing about weight, it seems that adolescent girls are more likely to report being teased than boys, a finding observed in Western countries such as the United States and Spain . Although in our results more boys than girls reported weight teasing, these sex differences disappeared when the analyses were adjusted by weight status.…”

Health Consequences of Weight Stigma: Implications for Obesity Prevention and Treatment

“…These patterns also appear to be present in minority samples of youths. In a study of 57,997 Spanish adolescents, weight-related teasing was significantly related to abnormal eating in girls and with body dissatisfaction in both boys and girls [16]. Among Hispanic and African American girls (N=141), weight-related teasing from peers and parents correlated with emotional eating, and parent-specific teasing was associated with binge eating [17].…”