Weight-based Victimization Research Articles

Adolescents’ perceptions of Student and Teacher/Staff Defending Against Stigma-Based Peer Victimization

ABSTRACT We investigated (1) grade differences in perceived stigma-based peer victimization (SBPV), (2) differences in perceived student and teacher/staff defending against types of SBPV, and (3) whether defending against SBPV affected student subjective wellbeing (SSWB) via anti-victimization school climate perceptions. Participants were 1124 US adolescents (48% girls, 48% boys, 3% another identity) in Grades 6–9. Participants identified as Hispanic (61%), Black (12%), White/Non-Hispanic (12%), and other racial/ethnic identities (15%). We found small differences in perceived defending against different types of SBPV. There were no differences between grades for perceived student defending, but teachers/staff defended 9th-graders less than 6th-graders across all types of SBPV. Student defending against ability-based victimization and teacher/staff defending against sexuality- and weight-based victimization predicted SSWB indirectly through anti-victimization school climate perceptions. Although SBPV is harmful to adolescents’ school functioning, students and teachers/staff can defend against SBPV to promote more adaptive perceptions of school climate and wellbeing.

The buffering effect of family support on the association between weight-based teasing and adolescent weight management outcomes.

Weight-based victimization (WBV) is associated with poor weight-related outcomes in adolescence. Family support may be one protective factor against the negative impact of WBV. The goal of this study is to examine the moderating effect of family support on the association between WBV and early weight loss for adolescents in a clinical weight management program. Parents of adolescents (N = 78) completed psychosocial measures at baseline. Objective height and weight were measured at baseline and follow-up (Visit 3). The overall model was significant (p = .02), explaining 12.76% of the variance in weight change over the first 2 months of treatment. As hypothesized, there was a significant moderating effect of family support on the association between WBV and weight change (p = .04), accounting 5.0% of the variance in weight change. Increased support from the family buffered the negative impact of WBV on early treatment outcomes for adolescents in a weight management program. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Weight-based Victimization and its Relation to Depression among a group of Adult Obese Egyptian Females

Weight-based Victimization and its Relation to Depression among a group of Adult Obese Egyptian Females

Weight-Based Victimization and Physical Activity Among Adolescents With Overweight or Obesity: A Scoping Review of Quantitative and Qualitative Evidence.

BackgroundIncreased physical activity engagement plays a vital role in preventing and treating overweight or obesity in children and adolescents. Research has found that adolescents who are overweight or obese tend to participate in less physical activity than adolescents of average weight. Weight-based victimization (victimization related to weight or body size) is highly prevalent in adolescence and seems to be a factor that might negatively impact engagement in physical activity. This scoping review's objective was to identify the nature and extent of research evidence on links between weight-based victimization and physical activity among community-based or primary health care samples of adolescents who are overweight or obese.MethodsFollowing established scoping review methods, we searched electronic databases PubMed, Web of science, SportDiscuss, and Cinahl from 23 Nov 2020 to 02 Dec 2020. Published studies with community-based or primary health care samples of adolescents who were overweight or obese (aged 13–18 years, Iso-BMI ≥ 25, i.e., age and gender specific percentiles based on specified cut-off value for overweight and obesity) and that were peer-reviewed and published were included in the analysis. Data from the included studies were put into a table and analyzed descriptively and numerically in terms of the extent and nature of the studies.ResultsAfter full text review, 12 articles were included, equally distributed in the qualitative and quantitative paradigm. There was a homogeneity of the research designs applied. Articles revealed high frequency of weight-based victimization. Among quantitative studies the reported links between weight-based victimization and physical activity were somewhat mixed, with three studies reporting weight-based victimization to negatively impact physical activity, while three studies report no significant impact. Qualitative studies reported experiences of teasing and bullying by peers, humiliation, and feelings of insecurity about appearance as barriers to engagement in physical activity.ConclusionThe empirical evidence on the links between weight-based victimization and physical activity among community-based or primary-health care samples of adolescents who are overweight or obese is sparse. The results revealed a high presence of weight-based victimization in physical activity which seems to act as barriers for activity engagement. There is a need for more research to advance the understanding of the links between weight-based victimization and physical activity among community-based or primary-health care samples of adolescents who are overweight or obese.

Weight-based cybervictimization: Implications for adolescent health.

Despite the ubiquity of cybervictimization among youth, attention to weight-based cybervictimization is scarce. This study assessed the prevalence of electronic forms of weight-based peer victimization (i.e., cybervictimization) and its associations with adolescent health, as indicated by somatic symptoms, stress, depression, and sleep trouble. A cross-sectional survey was conducted online with a community sample of 452 adolescents aged 11-17 years old (Mage =14.91 years). Thirty-three percent of adolescents reported at least one experience of weight-based cybervictimization, with elevated rates among those with overweight (45%) and obesity (60%). Weight-based cybervictimization was associated with higher levels of somatic symptoms (β=0.24; p < 0.001), stress (β=0.22; p < 0.001), depression (β=0.27; p < 0.001), and sleep trouble (β=0.20; p < 0.001); these associations were consistent across adolescent weight status. Findings suggest that the health implications of weight-based victimization extend to the electronic context, and underscore the importance of addressing weight-based cybervictimization in antibullying initiatives to support healthy adolescent well-being.

Patient-Centered Care for Obesity: How Health Care Providers Can Treat Obesity While Actively Addressing Weight Stigma and Eating Disorder Risk

Patient-Centered Care for Obesity: How Health Care Providers Can Treat Obesity While Actively Addressing Weight Stigma and Eating Disorder Risk

An examination of the link between empathy and weight-based victimization

Weight stigma is widely accepted by society and may be difficult to reduce through externally motivating factors. It is important to also investigate internally motivated factors that may be associated with the choice to engage in weight-based victimization such as dispositional empathy and its association to attitudinal weight bias. Our hypotheses were: 1) individuals with higher empathy would report engaging in less victimization; 2) this would be explained by these individuals having less attitudinal weight bias and the belief that individuals are not to blame for their weight. A regression analysis ( N = 284) revealed that empathy significantly predicted reported victimization behaviors, with higher levels of trait empathy associated with less victimization. An indirect effect analysis revealed that trait empathy had an indirect effect on victimization via “obesity” beliefs, but not attitudinal weight bias. Findings suggest that interventions designed with psychoeducation about “obesity” beliefs may aid in weight biased-behavior reduction. • Empathy was negatively associated with weight-based victimization toward others. • Empathy indirectly affected weight-based victimization via weight beliefs. • Weight bias did not explain the association between empathy and victimization.

The social and physical consequences of weight stigma in obese adolescents – primary care view

Negative attitudes regarding obese adolescents are learned early in life. Weight stigmatizing experiences occur frequently in the context of personal relationships with peers, teachers, family members, and health professionals. Adolescents’ weight stigma is insufficiently considered in the obesity’s management, and this contributes to negative health outcomes and behaviors that act as obesogenic factors into adulthood. Primary care professionals provide opportunity for translating expert recommendations for healthy behavior changes of obese adolescents, having facilities and staff to implement them in the community. However, comprehensive programs for controlling body weight and stigmatizing obese adolescents are not sufficiently addressed in primary care because they require psycho-educational skills development and dedicated time. In the framework of the curricular reform of the family medicine residency program a study design in the community served by the family physician trainer and carried out with the family medicine residents involvement was included. We describe an integrative community-based educational program dedicated to the social and physical health consequences of obese adolescents’ weight stigma that should be implemented in primary care. Conclusions. Psycho-educational skills development in the future family doctors training will lead to greater efficacy in addressing emotional needs of obese adolescents. Their increased involvement in counseling parents will help better cope with their children's eating disorders and weight-based victimization.

Weight-based victimization and school performance in adolescence: Can teachers help reduce academic risks?

Weight-based victimization (WBV) is a common and consequential experience for adolescents with overweight and obesity. The current study examined the relative contributions of different school-based sources of WBV (i.e., peers, friends, teachers, coaches) on academic grades, as well as the role of teachers in mitigating the academic consequences of WBV among a sample of 148 adolescents with high body weight (Mage = 15.97, SDage = 1.25; 50% female). Regression analyses revealed that the link between school-based WBV and lower grades among adolescents was due primarily to mistreatment from peers. However, this association was weakened when students perceived their teachers to be more helpful in preventing future WBV, but not as a function of how frequently students reported incidents of WBV to their teachers. These findings underscore the importance of teacher intervention in supporting the academic success of adolescents experiencing WBV from their peers in the school setting. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Weight Stigma in Youth: Prevalence, Consequences, and Considerations for Clinical Practice.

This review summarizes recent evidence on weight stigma experienced by youth with overweight or obesity. We examine the prevalence and sources of weight-based victimization targeting youth, consequences of these stigmatizing experiences for their psychological and physical health, and considerations for addressing weight stigma in clinical practice and pediatric care. Weight stigma is highly prevalent among youth with high body weight, who are targets of weight-based victimization from peers, parents, and teachers. These experiences place youth at risk for psychological distress (primarily depressive symptoms, low self-esteem, and suicidal ideation), worse social and academic outcomes, and adverse physical health consequences including maladaptive eating behaviors, lower physical activity, substance use, and weight gain. Healthcare professionals and clinicians have important roles to play in efforts to help reduce weight stigma and support youth with obesity. Fundamental to these efforts is the use of supportive, compassionate, and non-stigmatizing communication with youth and their families.

93 “I don’t want them to think that what they said matters”: How Adolescents with Severe Obesity Cope with Bullying

Abstract Background Adolescents with severe obesity are subject to a high prevalence of weight-based victimization that may contribute to mental health symptoms. The ability to better cope with this victimization could potentially modulate the psychological sequelae. This is the first qualitative study to address the paucity of literature focusing on how adolescents with severe obesity cope with victimization. Objectives To explore how adolescents with severe obesity cope with weight-related victimization and how it subsequently affects their psychological well-being. Design/Methods This was a qualitative research study using an interpretive phenomenological analytic approach. One-on-one semi structured interviews were completed with 19 adolescents (73% female) aged 16 – 19 years, enrolled in a tertiary hospital weight management program. A diverse array of patient experiences of weight-based victimization were sought to explore their coping mechanisms and how the experiences affected them. The interviews were transcribed and sequentially independently analyzed by the research team until thematic saturation was achieved. Results The majority of participants (89.5%) described being a victim of weight-based victimization and highlighted its significant emotional impact. Two key themes were identified that captured the various coping strategies used by participants. The minority (52.9%) described approach coping strategies where they acted on the source to invoke change by standing up for themselves, helping others in similar situations or becoming a bully themselves. Whilst the majority (94.1%) used avoidant coping strategies such as feigning a strong exterior façade, denial, isolation and self-harm. Nearly half (47.1%) used both strategies. It is possible that the study participants did not feel they had control over the weight related bullying, and therefore, were more likely to choose avoidant coping styles. Conclusion Adolescents with severe obesity commonly use avoidant coping strategies to passively regulate emotions, including problem avoidance, wishful thinking, self-criticism and social withdrawal to cope with weight-based victimization. As part of a comprehensive approach to the management of adolescents with severe obesity, counseling should be offered on how to use alternative coping mechanisms in the face of weight-based victimization.

Family Weight Teasing, LGBTQ Attitudes, and Well-being Among LGBTQ Adolescents.

This study explored weight-based victimization by family members, accepting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) attitudes, and family connectedness, and how these experiences are associated with health, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms among LGBTQ adolescents. Data came from the LGBTQ National Teen Survey (N = 9261, mean age = 15.6 years). The 3 key variables were significantly associated with poorer self-rated health, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms. For example, weight-based victimization was associated with approximately 2 more points on the depressive symptoms scale (β = 1.81, P < .001), adjusting for covariates. Findings highlight the negative impact of weight-based victimization among LGBTQ youth, even in the context of other types of family support.

Associations between Family Weight-Based Teasing, Eating Pathology, and Psychosocial Functioning among Adolescent Military Dependents.

Weight-based teasing (WBT) by family members is commonly reported among youth and is associated with eating and mood-related psychopathology. Military dependents may be particularly vulnerable to family WBT and its sequelae due to factors associated with their parents’ careers, such as weight and fitness standards and an emphasis on maintaining one’s military appearance; however, no studies to date have examined family WBT and its associations within this population. Therefore, adolescent military dependents at-risk for adult obesity and binge-eating disorder were studied prior to entry in a weight gain prevention trial. Youth completed items from the Weight-Based Victimization Scale (to assess WBT by parents and/or siblings) and measures of psychosocial functioning, including the Beck Depression Inventory-II, The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Social Adjustment Scale. Eating pathology was assessed via the Eating Disorder Examination interview, and height and fasting weight were measured to calculate BMIz. Analyses of covariance, adjusting for relevant covariates including BMIz, were conducted to assess relationships between family WBT, eating pathology, and psychosocial functioning. Participants were 128 adolescent military dependents (mean age: 14.35 years old, 54% female, 42% non-Hispanic White, mean BMIz: 1.95). Nearly half the sample (47.7%) reported family WBT. Adjusting for covariates, including BMIz, family WBT was associated with greater eating pathology, poorer social functioning and self-esteem, and more depressive symptoms (ps ≤ 0.02). Among military dependents with overweight and obesity, family WBT is prevalent and may be linked with eating pathology and impaired psychosocial functioning; prospective research is needed to elucidate the temporal nature of these associations.

Weight-based victimization among sexual and gender minority adolescents: Implications for substance use and mental health.

Weight-based victimization (WBV) involves being the target of intentional physical, verbal, or psychological harm because of one's body weight. Youth experience harmful health consequences from WBV, but this literature has neglected sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth, despite their high rates of overweight and obesity, and mental health problems. The present study assessed health behaviors (substance use), self-rated health, perceived control over stressors, depressive symptoms and self-esteem as a function of WBV in a large, national sample of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) adolescents. Participants (N = 9,838, Mage = 15.6 years, SD = 1.26) completed a web-based battery of questionnaires examining victimization, health, family, and school experiences of LGBTQ adolescents in the United States. WBV was associated with increased odds of alcohol use, binge drinking, marijuana use, and cigarette use, independent of adolescents' age, race, body mass index (BMI), sexual identity, gender identity, caregiver education, and U.S. region. Frequency of WBV at school and weight teasing from family members were both consistently associated with lower self-rated health, lower perceived control over stressors, lower self-esteem, and higher depressive symptom scores. These findings present the first large-scale evidence of the relationship between WBV and adverse health behaviors in SGM youth. Sexual minority youth who experience WBV, especially from family members, may be vulnerable to adverse health behaviors and low perceived health, regardless of their BMI. These findings highlight the importance of considering WBV when examining health behaviors in LGBTQ youth, and increased awareness of these issues among health care professionals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Weight-based victimization, eating behaviors, and weight-related health in Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents

Weight-based victimization (WBV) is a common form of bullying associated with maladaptive eating, and poor weight-related health. Although sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth experience a number of eating and weight-related health disparities, the link between WBV and these outcomes has not been investigated in this vulnerable population. Data came from the LGBTQ Teen Study, a national survey of SGM adolescents. Participants provided data to assess body mass index (BMI), WBV, sexual identity, gender identity, dieting, binge eating, eating to cope with stress, weight control behaviors, exercise, and stress (N = 9679). The sample was 66% White, with a mean age of 15.6 years; 58.5% had healthy weight, and 37.2% had overweight or obesity. Over half of participants reported WBV from family members and peers. WBV from family members was associated with maladaptive eating (i.e., binge-eating, unhealthy weight-control behaviors), dieting, and poor weight-related health (i.e., stress, exercise avoidance, less physical activity and poorer sleep); relationships remained significant after accounting for participants’ age, BMI percentile for age and sex, race, gender identity, and sexual identity. Higher frequency of WBV at school, but not history of peer weight-based victimization, was associated with more maladaptive eating, dieting, and poorer weight-related health on all outcomes except physical activity. This is the first large-scale study that examined links between WBV, maladaptive eating behaviors, and weight-related health in SGM adolescents. These results suggest the need for increased awareness that WBV may play a role in maladaptive eating, and weight-related health of SGM youth, and may contribute to both elevated levels of eating disorders and obesity in this population.

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

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. 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 =15.6years). 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). 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.

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

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. 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. Adolescents (ages 13-18years; N=148) enrolled in a national weight loss camp completed questionnaires about demographics, weight bullying, sources of teasing and internalized weight bias. 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. 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.

Association between body mass index and health outcomes among adolescents: the mediating role of traditional and cyber bullying victimization

BackgroundIt is well-documented that obese children and adolescents tend to experience a variety of negative physical and psychological health consequences. Despite the association between obesity and physical and psychological well-being, few studies have examined the role of off-line and on-line forms of bullying victimization in this link. The main objective of the current study is to investigate the direct and mediating effects of traditional and cyber bullying victimization in explaining the relationship between the body mass index (BMI) and physical/psychological distress.MethodsA nationally representative sample of 10,160 school children (mean age = 12.95 ± 1.75) were collected from the 2009 Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) study. Data were collected on body mass index, physical and psychological health, bullying victimization experience, and demographic information. A seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) was employed to assess and compare the indirect effects in multiple mediation models.ResultsWhile a significant direct association was found between BMI and both physical and psychological health, the indirect effect of BMI on physical distress was significant only via traditional bullying victimization. Both forms of bullying victimization had a mediating impact between BMI and psychological distress. However, the indirect effect on psychological distress was manifested through a negative mediating role of cyberbullying victimization. The negative relation between cyberbullying victimization and psychological distress warrants further exploration.ConclusionsObesity represents a serious risk to adolescent health and well-being, both physically and psychologically. If becoming a victim of traditional bullying mediates (specifically exacerbates) the level of physical and psychological distress among obese and overweight adolescents, health professionals need to focus on raising awareness of the importance of weight-based victimization for children and adolescents with obesity. School administrators and teachers could increase the efforts to identify school-age children who are stigmatized for their weight and recommend coping strategies for distressed victims of traditional and cyberbullying.

Public Support for Weight-Related Antidiscrimination Laws and Policies

Objective: Weight-related discrimination is prevalent and associated with health impairments for those who are targeted, which underscores the need of antidiscrimination legislation. This study is the first to examine public support of weight-related antidiscrimination laws or policies in Germany, compared to the US and Iceland. Methods: In a representative German population sample (N = 2,513), public support for general and employment-specific weight-related antidiscrimination policies, weight-based victimization, and weight bias internalization were measured through established self-report questionnaires. Results: Half of the German population sample agreed with antidiscrimination policies. General antidiscrimination laws received lower support than employment-specific laws. Support for policies considering obesity a physical disability was greatest in Germany, whereas support for employment-specific antidiscrimination laws was lower in Germany than in the US and Iceland. Total support for weight-related antidiscrimination policies was significantly predicted by lower age, female gender, obese weight status, residence in West Germany, church membership, and readiness to vote in elections. Conclusion: German support for weight-related antidiscrimination policies is moderate. Increasing awareness about weight-related discrimination and laws prohibiting this behavior may help to promote policy acceptance.

Weight-Based Victimization in Youth: Ask, Address, and Advocate

Weight-Based Victimization in Youth: Ask, Address, and Advocate