Weight-based teasing in youth: Associations with metabolic and inflammatory markers.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

BACKGROUND: Research among adults suggests that weight stigma is associated with worsened cardiometabolic health. However, these relationships have not been examined among youth. OBJECTIVE: Assess associations between weight-based teasing (WBT) and metabolic and inflammatory markers among two samples of youth: (1) a non-treatment-seeking sample and (2) a weight loss treatment-seeking sample with obesity. METHOD: Weight, height, adiposity, waist circumference and blood pressure were measured. Fasting blood samples were collected for metabolic (triglycerides, glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and inflammatory analytes (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in Study 1 and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in both studies). Youths completed the Perception of Teasing Scale, a measure of WBT. Metabolic and inflammatory indices were compared between those with and without teasing, adjusting for demographics and body composition. RESULTS: Study 1 enrolled 201 non-treatment-seeking youth (Mage = 13.1y; 54.2% female; 44.8% non-Hispanic White; 32.8% with overweight/obesity); 15.4% reported WBT. Study 2 enrolled 111 treatment-seeking adolescents with obesity (Mage = 14.0y; 66.7% female; 37.8% non-Hispanic White); 73.0% reported WBT. Adjusting for covariates, WBT was not associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in either study. CONCLUSIONS: WBT was not associated with worsened cardiometabolic health. Longitudinal research is needed to elucidate associations between WBT and health in youth.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Schvey, NA; Shank, LM; Tanofsky-Kraff, M; Ramirez, S; Altman, DR; Swanson, T; Rubin, AG; Kelly, NR; LeMay-Russell, S; Byrne, ME; Parker, MN; Broadney, MM; Brady, SM; Yanovski, SZ; Yanovski, JA

Published Date

  • March 2021

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 16 / 3

Start / End Page

  • e12729 -

PubMed ID

  • 33059389

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC8209784

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 2047-6310

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1111/ijpo.12729

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • England