Gender differences in the relation between interpersonal stress and momentary shape and weight concerns in youth with overweight/obesity

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine relations between interpersonal stress and momentary shape and weight concerns among pre-adolescent and early adolescent boys and girls with overweight/obesity, using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). We also aimed to determine whether interpersonal stress was differentially related to shape/weight concerns in boys versus girls. Forty youth, ages 8–14 years (53% female), with overweight or obesity reported their state-level shape/weight concerns and negative affect and their recent interpersonal stress (i.e., stress experienced since the last EMA assessment) multiple times a day, for two weeks. Results indicated that interpersonal stress predicted shape/weight concerns in girls but was not related to shape/weight concerns in boys. At the between-person level, higher overall feelings of loneliness and social rejection and a higher overall desire for more friends predicted higher average levels of shape/weight concerns. At the within-person level, higher momentary ratings of loneliness, social rejection, and desire for more friends predicted lower shape/weight concerns. These data suggest that the tendency to experience interpersonal stress may be more detrimental to body satisfaction for girls with overweight/obesity than for boys with overweight/obesity. Interventions that focus on reducing interpersonal stress may be effective in ameliorating shape/weight concerns in girls with overweight/obesity.