The relation between weight-based teasing and psychological adjustment in adolescents

Goldfield, Gary S.; Moore, Ceri; Henderson, Katherine A.; Buchholz, Annick; Obeid, Nicole; Flament, Martine F.

doi:10.1093/pch/15.5.283

Cited by 80 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 22 publications

(33 reference statements)

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“…Even well-intentioned parents may inadvertently criticize or tease their overweight children in ways that are extremely damaging. 19,26,[46][47][48] For those youth who are targets of WBV at school and at home, health care providers may be among their only remaining allies. Thus, it can be especially helpful for providers to promote adaptive coping strategies (eg, positive self-talk, social support, problem-focused coping) 18,48,49 during patient visits with youth who are targets of WBV.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This knowledge is particularly important to obtain in treatmentseeking youth, given that obese youth may be more likely to be teased or bullied, 25 and heavier youth report that teasing is more harmful, upsetting, and frequent than their nonoverweight peers. 17 In addition, the relation between teasing and psychological maladjustment is higher for obese youth, 26 and negative consequences resulting from victimization may be more pronounced in treatment-seeking youth. 27,28 Previous studies examining treatmentseeking samples of overweight youth (ie, those participating in weight loss programs) have used only a few survey items to assess the presence/history of weight-related teasing 29 or relied on brief scales such as the Perception of Teasing Scale 30 as well as other scales.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Weight-Based Victimization: Bullying Experiences of Weight Loss Treatment–Seeking Youth

2013

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WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: Studies have linked bullying with BMI, with overweight and obese youth vulnerable to bullying and its negative psychological and health consequences. However, there has been little comprehensive assessment of weight-based victimization, especially in weight loss treatment-seeking samples of youth.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: WBV is prevalent in treatment-seeking youth, who report victimization from peers (92%), friends (70%), parents (37%), and teachers (27%). Providers should discuss WBV in their assessment and treatment of pediatric patients who are overweight or obese.abstract OBJECTIVE: Few studies have comprehensively examined weight-based victimization (WBV) in youth, despite its serious consequences for their psychosocial and physical health. Given that obese and treatmentseeking youth may be highly vulnerable to WBV and its negative consequences, the current study provides a comprehensive assessment of WBV in a weight loss treatment-seeking sample.METHODS: Adolescents (aged 14-18 years; N = 361) enrolled in 2 national weight loss camps were surveyed. An in-depth assessment of WBV was conducted by using an online survey, in which participants indicated the duration, typical locations, frequent perpetrators, and forms of WBV they had experienced. RESULTS:Findings indicate that 64% of the study participants reported WBV at school, and the risk of WBV increased with body weight. Most participants reported WBV enduring for 1 year (78%), and 36% were teased/bullied for 5 years. Peers (92%) and friends (70%) were the most commonly reported perpetrators, followed by adult perpetrators, including physical education teachers/sport coaches (42%), parents (37%), and teachers (27%). WBV was most frequently reported in the form of verbal teasing (75%-88%), relational victimization (74%-82%), cyberbullying (59%-61%), and physical aggression (33%-61%). WBV was commonly experienced in multiple locations at school.CONCLUSIONS: WBV is a prevalent experience for weight loss treatmentseeking youth, even when they are no longer overweight. Given the frequent reports of WBV from adult perpetrators in addition to peers, treatment providers and school personnel can play an important role in identifying and supporting youth who may be at risk for pervasive teasing and bullying. Pediatrics 2013;131:e1-e9 AUTHORS:

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Weight-Based Victimization: Bullying Experiences of Weight Loss Treatment–Seeking Youth

2013

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“…Among boys and girls enrolled in weight loss camps (N=361), those who reported experiencing weight-based teasing had an increased likelihood of engaging in unhealthy eating behaviors [13] and binge eating compared to peers who were not teased [14]. A study of 1491 adolescents found that reports of weight-based teasing were consistently associated with disordered eating for both boys and girls across weight strata [15]. These patterns also appear to be present in minority samples of youths.…”

Section: Weight Stigma and Associated Health Consequences Binge Eatingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

2015

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Despite decades of research documenting consistent stigma and discrimination against individuals with obesity, weight stigma is rarely considered in obesity prevention and treatment efforts. In recent years, evidence has examined weight stigmatization as a unique contributor to negative health outcomes and behaviors that can promote and exacerbate obesity. This review summarizes findings from published studies within the past 4 years examining the relationship between weight stigma and maladaptive eating behaviors (binge eating and increased food consumption), physical activity, weight status (weight gain and loss and development of obesity), and physiological stress responses. Research evaluating the effects of weight stigma present in obesity-related public health campaigns is also highlighted. Evidence collectively demonstrates negative implications of stigmatization for weight-related health correlates and behaviors and suggests that addressing weight stigma in obesity prevention and treatment is warranted. Key questions for future research to further delineate the health effects of weight stigmatization are summarized.

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“…Girls with overweight experience more weight-based teasing and are more likely to be relationally, verbally, and physically bullied than boys with overweight [77,78]. Interpersonal rejection due to weight persists for women through adulthood.…”

Section: Sex Differencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex Differences in Obesity and Mental Health

Tronieri

Wurst

Pearl

et al. 2017

Curr Psychiatry Rep

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Research on sex differences in the relationship between obesity and psychiatric disorders is more abundant in some areas, such as depression and eating disorders, than others, such as anxiety, trauma, and substance use. However, for most of the disorders, their relationships with obesity and sex are complex and are usually moderated by additional variables. Thus, studies that find stronger relationships for women between depression and obesity cross-sectionally do not tell the whole story, as longitudinal studies suggest that this relationship may also be present among men, particularly when confounders are considered. For those with eating disorders, men and women with obesity are fairly equally affected, and weight and shape concerns may play a role in maintaining these behaviors for both sexes. Weight stigma, though, seems to have worse consequences for women than men with obesity. Sex differences exist in relation to the associations between mental health and obesity. However, these differences vary by disorder, with disorder-specific moderators playing a role, such as age for depressive disorders, comorbid depression for anxiety disorders, and weight and shape concerns for eating disorders. More work is needed to understand if sex differences play a role in the relationship between obesity and anxiety, trauma, and substance use disorders.

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The relation between weight-based teasing and psychological adjustment in adolescents

Cited by 80 publications

References 22 publications

Weight-Based Victimization: Bullying Experiences of Weight Loss Treatment–Seeking Youth

Weight-Based Victimization: Bullying Experiences of Weight Loss Treatment–Seeking Youth

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

Sex Differences in Obesity and Mental Health

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