The role of weight teasing and weight bias internalization in psychological functioning: a prospective study among school-aged children

Zuba, Anna; Warschburger, Petra

doi:10.1007/s00787-017-0982-2

Cited by 74 publications

(100 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…Only one prospective study has assessed WBI in children (ages 7–11). Zuba and Warschburger conducted a 2‐year longitudinal study of over 1,000 German children, making minor changes to the WBIS item wording to be appropriate for children of all weight statuses. Results showed that children with overweight scored higher on the WBIS than non‐overweight children, although at time 1, BMI correlated with the WBIS more strongly among non‐overweight than overweight children.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weight bias internalization and health: a systematic review

2018

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A robust literature has documented the negative health effects of being the target of weight bias. Weight bias internalization (WBI) occurs when individuals apply negative weight stereotypes to themselves and self-derogate because of their body weight. Compared with experiences of weight bias, less is known about the relationship between WBI and mental and physical health, although more literature on this topic has emerged in recent years. The current systematic review identified 74 studies assessing the relationship between WBI and health and interventions designed to reduce WBI and improve health. Over half of identified studies were published from 2016 to 2017. Results showed strong, negative relationships between WBI and mental health outcomes. Fewer studies have examined the relationship between WBI and physical health, and results were less consistent. Key directions for future research are highlighted, including the need for prospective and experimental studies with greater sample diversity.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weight bias internalization and health: a systematic review

2018

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“…Collectively, these findings indicate the need for additional research to examine vulnerabilities to weight‐based victimization across different sexual and gender identities and suggest that these youth may benefit from support from other caring adults in their lives, such as teachers, coaches, or health care providers. Further, given the high levels of weight‐based teasing reported in our sample, it will be informative for future work to examine whether, and to what extent, SGM youth internalize weight bias, which has been linked with adverse health outcomes in emerging studies of heterosexual youth …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weight‐based victimization among sexual and gender minority adolescents: Findings from a diverse national sample

2019

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Summary Objectives Children and adolescents with overweight and obesity are vulnerable to weight‐based victimization. Research on weight‐based victimization and sexual identity have been largely isolated from one another; little is known about the nature of weight‐based victimization in sexual and gender minority (SGM: eg, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) youth. Our study is the first to examine the nature, extent, and sources of weight‐based victimization in a large sample of SGM adolescents. Methods This study utilized data from the LGBTQ National Teen Survey, a comprehensive online survey assessing victimization, school experiences, health behaviors, and sexuality‐specific experiences of SGM adolescents across the United States. The sample was composed of 9838 SGM adolescents (Mage = 15.6 years). Results Across diverse sexual orientation and gender identity groups, 44% to 70% of adolescents reported weight‐based teasing from family members, and 42% to 57% reported weight‐based teasing from peers. Approximately one‐third of adolescents reported these experiences from both family and peers. Weight‐based victimization was prevalent across body weight categories, particularly at highest (obesity) and lowest (underweight) extremes. Moreover, weight‐based victimization was prevalent across adolescents who endorsed established sexual identity labels (eg, gay, lesbian, bisexual) and emerging labels (eg, pansexual, asexual). Conclusions Weight‐based victimization, from family members and peers, is prevalent among SGM adolescents, across diverse body sizes and sexual and gender identities. Pediatric providers should be aware that SGM youth may be vulnerable to weight‐based victimization, across diverse body sizes.

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“…Comparatively few studies have examined weight bias internalization in adolescents. Among school children, weight bias internalization has been associated with restrained eating as well as poor emotional functioning 2 years later; weight bias internalization explained the relationship between weight status and these outcomes (27). Among treatment seeking youth with overweight (24) and obesity (28), weight bias internalization was associated with binge eating (24), disordered eating (24), depression (28), anxiety (28) and body-weight concerns (28).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weight‐based victimization from friends and family: implications for how adolescents cope with weight stigma

Himmelstein

Puhl

2018

Pediatric Obesity

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Summary Background Youth with overweight and obesity commonly experience weight‐based victimization. The ways that these youth cope with victimization can adversely impact their health. Despite considerable evidence that family members and friends are common perpetrators of weight‐based victimization, the relationships among different sources of victimization and coping responses of youth are unknown. Objectives The present study examined the relationships between weight‐based victimization from four sources (friends, peers, family members and teachers) and stigma‐specific coping responses in adolescents using linear regression. Methods Adolescents (ages 13–18 years; N = 148) enrolled in a national weight loss camp completed questionnaires about demographics, weight bullying, sources of teasing and internalized weight bias. Results Teasing sources explained a large proportion of the variance in coping strategies for weight‐based victimization. Weight teasing from friends was associated with greater frequency of negative emotions. Weight teasing from peers and friends were associated with greater frequency of coping via avoidance behaviours, while teasing from family was associated with fewer avoidance behaviours. Adolescents reported wanting more support from parents and stronger school policies to address weight‐bullying. Conclusions These results suggest associations between weight‐teasing sources and coping mechanisms. Interventions should examine the role of coping strategies to protect against adverse health effects of weight‐based victimization.

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The role of weight teasing and weight bias internalization in psychological functioning: a prospective study among school-aged children

Cited by 74 publications

References 61 publications

Weight bias internalization and health: a systematic review

Weight bias internalization and health: a systematic review

Weight‐based victimization among sexual and gender minority adolescents: Findings from a diverse national sample

Weight‐based victimization from friends and family: implications for how adolescents cope with weight stigma

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