The association between chronic bullying victimization with weight status and body self-image: a cross-national study in 39 countries

Abstract

BackgroundChildhood obesity and school bullying are pervasive public health issues and known to co-occur in adolescents. However, the association between underweight or thinness and chronic bullying victimization is unclear. The current study examined whether chronic bullying victimization is associated with weight status and body self-image.MethodsA school-based, cross-sectional study in 39 North American and European countries and regions was conducted. A total of 213,595 adolescents aged 11, 13, and 15 years were surveyed in 2009/10. Chronic bullying victimization was identified using the Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire. Weight status was determined using self-reported height and weight and the body mass index (BMI), and body self-image was based on perceived weight. We tested associations between underweight and bullying victimization using three-level logistic regression models.ResultsOf the 213,595 adolescents investigated, 11.28% adolescents reported chronic bullying victimization, 14.80% were classified as overweight/obese according to age- and sex-specific BMI criteria, 12.97% were underweight, and 28.36% considered themselves a little bit fat or too fat, 14.57% were too thin. Bullying victimization was less common in older adolescent boys and girls. Weight status was associated with chronic bullying victimization (adjusted ORunderweight = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.05–1.16, p = 0.002; adjusted ORoverweight = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.32–1.49, p < 0.0001; adjusted ORobese = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.71–2.14, p < 0.0001). Body self-image also related to chronic bullying victimization (adjusted ORtoo thin = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.36–1.49, p < 0.0001; adjusted ORa little bit fat = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.48–1.61, p < 0.0001; adjusted ORtoo fat = 3.30, 95% CI = 2.96–3.68, p < 0.0001).ConclusionBoth perceived weight and self-rated overweight are associated with chronic bullying victimization. Both overweight and underweight children are at risk of being chronically bullied.

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

“…A recent meta‐analysis by van Geel and colleagues that included 16 studies with more than 50 000 children and adolescents mainly from high‐income countries (exception China) found that compared with normal weight, overweight and obesity were associated with 1.19 (95% CI, 1.10‐1.29) and 1.51 (95% CI, 1.32‐1.71) times higher odds for bullying victimization, respectively . More recently, a multi‐country study including data on adolescents from 39 North American and European countries found that overweight and obesity were associated with 1.40 (95% CI, 1.32‐1.49) and 1.91 (95% CI, 1.71‐2.14) times higher odds for chronic bullying victimization, respectively …”

“…5 More recently, a multicountry study including data on adolescents from 39 North American and European countries found that overweight and obesity were associated with 1.40 (95% CI, 1.32-1.49) and 1.91 (95% CI, 1.71-2.14) times higher odds for chronic bullying victimization, respectively. 8 However, the vast majority of these studies was conducted in highincome countries, and data from low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) are scarce. Studies on bullying victimization from LMICs are important because there is relatively little research on bullying from this setting, despite the fact that almost 90% of the world's adolescents live in this setting.…”

Well-Being, Obesity and Motricity Observatory in Childhood and Youth (WOMO): A Study Protocol

“…There are many previous studies that have shown the positive effect of different fitness interventions on obesity patients [83]. Many of them have related physical fitness and/or overweight to different aspects, such as self-concept [84], bullying [85], emotional well-being [86], barriers to physical activity [87] or HRQoL [88]. However, no studies have evaluated and interrelated all the aspects mentioned above and their influence on overweight, motricity and well-being in children and youth, using the results obtained to guide possible multidisciplinary interventions and to monitor them.…”

A violência no ambiente universitário

“…Esses comportamentos inadequados nas relações interpessoais, o bullying, a violência verbal e física durante a formação acadêmica pode repercutir negativamente na qualidade de vida dos estudantes, afetando a saúde mental dessa população e favorecendo o aparecimento de transtornos de natureza psicológica, como a depressão e a síndrome de Burnout (14,16,17) .…”