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Weight-Related Teasing of Adolescents Who Are Primarily Obese: Roles of Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance and Physical Activity Self-Efficacy

Author

Listed:
  • Carolyn E. Ievers-Landis

    (Division of Developmental/Behavioral Pediatrics & Psychology, Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, UH Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106-6038, USA)

  • Carly Dykstra

    (Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, UH Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA)

  • Naveen Uli

    (Division of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, UH Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA)

  • Mary Ann O’Riordan

    (Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, UH Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA)

Abstract

Adolescents who are obese are at risk for being teased about their appearance with the concomitant negative psychological sequelae. Identifying modifiable variables associated with teasing could inform pediatric weight-management interventions. Characterizing society’s role in the victimization of these at-risk individuals could guide anti-bullying programs for schools and broader public health efforts. This study aims to examine novel societal and cognitive factors associated with weight-related teasing frequency. Participants were adolescents ( N = 334) being evaluated for a hospital-affiliated weight-management program. The outcome was perceived weight-related teasing frequency. Predictors were sociocultural awareness and internalization of appearance-related attitudes, physical activity self-efficacy, and psychological functioning. Multivariate regressions controlled for demographics and body mass index (BMI) z-scores with separate regressions testing interactions of BMI z-scores with all predictors. In adjusted analyses, higher physical activity self-efficacy and fewer depressive symptoms related to lower teasing frequency. Interactions indicated that less awareness/internalization of sociocultural attitudes towards appearance, more positive body image, and higher self-esteem related to lower teasing frequency regardless of BMI. Targeted interventions and public health campaigns should be developed and tested for adolescents that improve body image with promotion of diverse views about attractiveness, bolster confidence in overcoming physical activity barriers, and identify and treat mood symptoms.

Suggested Citation

  • Carolyn E. Ievers-Landis & Carly Dykstra & Naveen Uli & Mary Ann O’Riordan, 2019. "Weight-Related Teasing of Adolescents Who Are Primarily Obese: Roles of Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance and Physical Activity Self-Efficacy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-16, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:9:p:1540-:d:227428
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Roohi Kharofa & Robert Siegel & Kristin Stackpole, 2019. "What to Do about Childhood Obesity?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-4, October.
    2. Laura O. Gallardo & Alberto Abarca-Sos & Alberto Moreno Doña, 2020. "Expectancy-Value Model Related to Physical Activity Behaviors in Chilean and Spanish Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-15, November.
    3. Ahmad R Al-Haifi & Balqees A Al-Awadhi & Yousef A Al-Dashti & Badriyah H Aljazzaf & Ahmad R Allafi & Mariam A Al-Mannai & Hazzaa M Al-Hazzaa, 2022. "Prevalence of overweight and obesity among Kuwaiti adolescents and the perception of body weight by parents or friends," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(1), pages 1-12, January.
    4. Cheong Kim & Francis Joseph Costello & Kun Chang Lee & Yuan Li & Chenyao Li, 2019. "Predicting Factors Affecting Adolescent Obesity Using General Bayesian Network and What-If Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-18, November.
    5. Hashem Salarzadeh Jenatabadi & Che Wan Jasimah Bt Wan Mohamed Radzi & Nadia Samsudin, 2020. "Associations of Body Mass Index with Demographics, Lifestyle, Food Intake, and Mental Health among Postpartum Women: A Structural Equation Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-24, July.

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