Negative comments about adolescents’ body weight: What are they and what is their connection with body image?

Abstract

IntroductionWeight comments can have an impact on the body image of those who receive them. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable since they are developing their identity. ObjectiveThe first goal of this study was to determine the associations between weight comments made by the entourage, according to the source (father, mother, friends, romantic partner, etc.), the adolescents’ satisfaction with appearance and sensitivity to negative evaluation by other adolescents. The second goal was to explore the contents of the negative weight comments from the entourage. MethodA study was conducted among 740 adolescent participants from Quebec, Canada, who were asked to complete questionnaires while in class. Multiple linear regression models, as well as qualitative analysis, were conducted. ResultsNearly half of the adolescents reported having already received comments about their weight from at least one person. Being a girl, between 15 and 16 years old (as compared to younger), and perceiving their body as large, were associated with perceiving more comments. Comments from friends were most strongly related to appearance dissatisfaction and sensitivity to negative evaluation by others. The themes of the negative comments received were mainly related to weight gain, being underweight or suggestions for lifestyle habits. ConclusionThe results provide a better understanding of the relationships among negative comments weight-related comments among young Quebecers and body image outcomes, as well as the importance of increasing awareness among adolescents and their entourage of the consequences of weight commentary.