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Weight-teasing among adolescents: correlations with weight status and disordered eating behaviors.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Neumark-Sztainer, D; Falkner, N; Story, M; Perry, C; Hannan, PJ; Mulert, S
Published in: Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord
January 2002

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of perceived weight-teasing and associations with unhealthy weight-control behaviors and binge eating in a population-based sample of youth. Particular focus was placed on overweight youth, who may be most vulnerable to weight-teasing. METHODS: The study population included 4746 adolescents from St Paul/Minneapolis public schools who completed surveys and anthropometric measurements as part of Project EAT, a population-based study of eating patterns and weight concerns among teens. RESULTS: There were statistically significant associations between perceived weight-teasing and weight status; both overweight and underweight youth reported higher levels of teasing than average weight youth. Very overweight youth (body mass index (BMI) > or = 95th percentile) were most likely to be teased about their weight; 63% of very overweight girls, and 58% of very overweight boys reported being teased by their peers, while weight-teasing by family members was reported by 47% of these girls and 34% of these boys. Youth who were teased about their weight, particularly overweight girls, reported that it bothered them. Perceived weight-teasing was significantly associated with disordered eating behaviors among overweight and non-overweight girls and boys. For example, among overweight youth, 29% of girls and 18% of boys who experienced frequent weight-teasing reported binge-eating as compared to 16% of girls and 7% of boys who were not teased. CONCLUSIONS: Many adolescents, in particular those who are overweight, report being teased about their weight and being bothered by the teasing. Weight-teasing is associated with disordered eating behaviors that may place overweight youth at increased risk for weight gain. Educational interventions and policies are needed to curtail weight-related mistreatment among youth.

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Published In

Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord

DOI

Publication Date

January 2002

Volume

26

Issue

1

Start / End Page

123 / 131

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Prevalence
  • Peer Group
  • Minnesota
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders
  • Endocrinology & Metabolism
  • Body Weight
 

Citation

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Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Neumark-Sztainer, D., Falkner, N., Story, M., Perry, C., Hannan, P. J., & Mulert, S. (2002). Weight-teasing among adolescents: correlations with weight status and disordered eating behaviors. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord, 26(1), 123–131. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801853
Neumark-Sztainer, D., N. Falkner, M. Story, C. Perry, P. J. Hannan, and S. Mulert. “Weight-teasing among adolescents: correlations with weight status and disordered eating behaviors.Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 26, no. 1 (January 2002): 123–31. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801853.
Neumark-Sztainer D, Falkner N, Story M, Perry C, Hannan PJ, Mulert S. Weight-teasing among adolescents: correlations with weight status and disordered eating behaviors. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2002 Jan;26(1):123–31.
Neumark-Sztainer, D., et al. “Weight-teasing among adolescents: correlations with weight status and disordered eating behaviors.Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord, vol. 26, no. 1, Jan. 2002, pp. 123–31. Pubmed, doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0801853.
Neumark-Sztainer D, Falkner N, Story M, Perry C, Hannan PJ, Mulert S. Weight-teasing among adolescents: correlations with weight status and disordered eating behaviors. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2002 Jan;26(1):123–131.

Published In

Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord

DOI

Publication Date

January 2002

Volume

26

Issue

1

Start / End Page

123 / 131

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Prevalence
  • Peer Group
  • Minnesota
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders
  • Endocrinology & Metabolism
  • Body Weight