Citation

Yourell JL, Doty JL. J. Sch. Health 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, American School Health Association, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/josh.13101

PMID

34786727

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Youth with obesity are likely to experience weight-based bullying victimization, and adolescents have the highest obesity rates among children. Factors that protect youth from traditional bullying victimization may protect youth from weight-based bullying victimization: internal assets such as positive identity and social competence, and external assets such as perceived support from parents and friends.

METHODS: To examine this proposition, data from 8th, 9th, and 11th graders were obtained from the 2016 Minnesota Student Survey (N = 126,495). Logistic regressions were conducted to identify the relationship between assets and weight-based bullying and to determine possible moderation by weight status.

RESULTS: Results demonstrate that positive identity, parent support, and friend support were associated with lower odds of experiencing weight-based bullying victimization. Moderation analyses revealed that perceived parent support was most protective against experiencing weight-based bullying victimization among youth with obesity compared to youth with overweight, normal weight, or underweight.

CONCLUSION: School administrators, counselors, and teachers should be aware of the increased risk of weight-based bullying for youth with obesity and underweight.

RESULTS underscore the need to foster youth's internal assets like positive identity to promote a strength-based approach for prevention. Parent involvement is warranted in weight-based bullying prevention efforts.

Language: en

Keywords

prevention; obesity; weight-victimization