Weightism, Racism, Classism, and Sexism: Shared Forms of Harassment in Adolescents

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to document the prevalence of harassment on the basis of weight, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, as well as sexual harassment, among a diverse population of adolescents. Specifically, this study examined rates of each type of harassment reported across groups within the corresponding sociodemographic category (e.g., racial/ethnic category differences in prevalence of racial harassment), and also explored patterns of “cross-harassment” (i.e., differences in prevalence of each harassment type across all other sociodemographic characteristics). Methods Data from EAT 2010 (Eating and Activity in Teens) were used for the current study. The sample was comprised of 2,793 adolescents (53% female; 81% non-white). Regression analyses were conducted to yield prevalence estimates of each type of harassment in each demographic and BMI category. Results Weight- and race-based harassment (35.3% and 35.2%, respectively) were most prevalent, followed by sexual harassment (25.0%) and SES-based harassment (16.1%). Overweight and obese adolescents reported disproportionately higher rates of all forms of harassment than did normal-weight and underweight adolescents. In addition, Asian and mixed-/other-race adolescents were more vulnerable to harassment overall as compared to those from other racial/ethnic groups. Conclusions Harassment experiences are prevalent among adolescent boys and girls. Differential rates of each type of harassment are reported across groups within the corresponding sociodemographic category, but a pattern of “cross-harassment” also is evident, such that differences in prevalence of each type of harassment emerge across a variety of sociodemographic characteristics. Adolescents from various intersecting sociodemographic and weight-status groups are particularly vulnerable to certain types of harassment.

Weight-Related Teasing in the School Environment: Associations with Psychosocial Health and Weight Control Practices Among Adolescent Boys and Girls

“…Previous analyses in this sample have identified that individual weight-related teasing is prevalent (Bucchianeri et al, 2013b) and associated with lower self-esteem, lower body dissatisfaction, and greater depressive symptoms in girls and boys (Bucchianeri et al). We hypothesized that the observation of weight-related teasing, through the transmission of perceived societal weight-related ideals, may have a similar association with adolescent psychosocial health and weight control behaviors.…”

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

“…National estimates indicate that weight discrimination is among the most frequent forms of discrimination reported by adults and is comparable to rates of racial discrimination among women [1]. Among youths, weight stigma is experienced as pervasive bullying and victimization and is reported by youths, teachers, and parents to be one of the most prevalent forms of bullying that youths face at school [2][3][4][5]. In addition to numerous social consequences, economic inequalities, and psychological consequences imposed by weight stigma [6], those who experience weight bias or discrimination may be additionally vulnerable to health risk behaviors and outcomes that can exacerbate poor health and obesity.…”

Public attitudes about different types of anti-bullying laws: Results from a national survey

“…13 One study of 1555 high school students found that being overweight was reported to be the primary reason that students observed their peers being teased and bullied at school, 14 and more recent evidence from 2793 adolescents similarly demonstrated that weight-based harassment was the most prevalent form of harassment reported by girls (38 per cent), and the second most common form of harassment among boys (32 per cent). 15 Are overweight and obese students adequately protected from weightbased bullying under existing provisions? There is a clear need to identify productive avenues of intervention in response to weight-based harassment.…”