Weight-Based Victimization Among Adolescents in the School Setting: Emotional Reactions and Coping Behaviors

Abstract

Weight-based victimization is a frequent experience for adolescents, but little is known about their emotional reactions and coping strategies in response to weight-based teasing and bullying. The present study examined the ways that adolescents cope with experiences of weight-based victimization at school. An initial sample of 1,555 students from two high schools in central Connecticut completed a comprehensive battery of self-report measures to assess their experiences of weight-based teasing and bullying at school, affective responses to these experiences, and coping strategies used to deal with incidents of weight-based victimization. Only those students who reported experiencing weight-based victimization (N = 394) were included for the purposes of the present study. Of this sub-sample, 56% were females, 84% were Caucasian, and the mean age was 16.4 years. Weight-based victimization resulted in 40-50% of adolescents feeling sad and depressed, worse about themselves, bad about their body, angry, and some feeling afraid. Gender differences emerged with respect to how boys and girls react to experiences of weight-based victimization. However, structural equation model estimates demonstrated that both boys and girls who reported negative affect in response to weight-based victimization were more likely to use coping strategies of avoidance (e.g., avoiding gym class), increased food consumption, and binge eating. Binary logistic regressions showed that the odds of students skipping school or reporting that their grades were harmed because of weight-based teasing increased by 5% per teasing incident, even after controlling for gender, age, race, grades, and weight status. To our knowledge, this study is the first systematic examination of affective reactions and coping strategies among overweight adolescents in response to weight-based victimization. These findings can inform efforts to assist overweight youth to cope adaptively with weight-based victimization.

Um Estudo Exploratório Da Tendência “Antiobesidade” Entre Professores E Estudantes De Educação Física Italianos

“…No ambiente escolar, os estudantes com sobrepeso ou obesos encontram maiores obstáculos quando comparados aos colegas eutróficos para a prática de atividade física: podem manifestar uma vergonha evidente, uma preocupação por sua saúde, uma exagerada atenção acerca da perda de peso, ser objeto de vitimização (PUHL;LUEDICKE, 2012;SCARPA et al, 2012), além de relacionar-se negativamente com situações de exercício físico, tendo em vista as experiências precedentes (BALL; CRAWFORD;OWEN, 2000;LYONS, MILLER, 1999). Alguns dados mostram como as crianças com obesidade, comparadas aos colegas eutróficos, reportam mais dias de ausência na escola (GEIER et al, 2007), o que se torna para essas crianças um obstáculo no processo de aprendizagem.…”

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

“…Specifically, WBV can increase the risk for behaviors that may contribute to weight gain (eg, increased caloric consumption, binge eating, unhealthy weight control behaviors, increased preference for sedentary activities, skipping physical education [PE] class). [16][17][18] WBV can also have negative psychological outcomes (eg, low self-esteem, depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts and behaviors) 19 and academic consequences (eg, skipping school, poorer academic performance). 18,20 Weight-based teasing/ bullying may also contribute to social isolation or low peer acceptance of overweight youth.…”

“…[16][17][18] WBV can also have negative psychological outcomes (eg, low self-esteem, depressive symptoms, suicidal thoughts and behaviors) 19 and academic consequences (eg, skipping school, poorer academic performance). 18,20 Weight-based teasing/ bullying may also contribute to social isolation or low peer acceptance of overweight youth. [21][22][23] Thus, WBV can hinder social, emotional, and academic development of youth, as well as exacerbate adverse health behaviors already associated with obesity.…”

“…To address this research gap, an indepth self-report measure was developedtoassessWBV in youth, including its multiple forms, common settings where WBV occurs, frequent perpetrators of WBV, and the frequency of these experiences.Originally surveyedin a large community sample of high school students, 1,18 this measure has not yet been tested in a weight loss treatmentseeking sample. Given the increased risk of victimization of these individuals and the resulting negative consequences, the current study aimed to assess WBV in a treatment-seeking sample.…”

Vital Links Between Obesity and Psychopathology: The Impact of Stigma

“…Although research has demonstrated that there is a bidirectional relationship between obesity and psychopathology, 19 recently, weight stigma has been reported as an influential factor in the development of psychopathological concerns. For instance, when stigma is internalised, it can lead to stress and lowered self-worth.…”