Weight, body image and bullying in nine year old children

TitleWeight, body image and bullying in nine year old children
Publication TypePublished Journal Article
2013
AuthorsReulbach U, Ladewig E, Nixon E, O'Moore M, Williams J, O'Dowd T
JournalJournal of Paediatrics and Childcare 2013
Volume49
Issue4
Pagination288-93
Date Published04/2013
Workpackage1
Keywordsbullying, Epidemiology, school age children, weight perception, weight status
Abstract

Abstract
AIM:
To explore the association between weight and bullying; considering victims and perpetrators as two aspects of bullying, and subjective perception and objective measurement as two aspects of weight.
METHODS:
This study is based on the first wave of data collection from Growing Up in Ireland - the National Longitudinal Study of Children. The two-stage sample design included a sample of 910 primary schools in Ireland, from which a sample of 8568 nine-year-old children and their families was randomly selected. Analysis is based on statistically reweighted data to ensure that it is representative of all 9-year-olds in Ireland.
RESULTS:
Significantly (P < 0.001) more girls were overweight or obese (33.1%: 23.1% overweight and 10% obese) than boys (25.2%: 18.3% and 6.9%). Children who were body mass index (BMI) classified as overweight or obese were significantly (P < 0.001) more likely to be victimised when compared with children whose BMI was not classified as overweight or obese. BMI-classified thinness was not significantly associated with victimisation; however, the body image of being skinny or very skinny was significantly (P = 0.015) associated with being victimised. Bullying perpetration was not associated with BMI-derived weight classification but was significantly (P < 0.001) associated with the child's own self-description of weight.
CONCLUSIONS:
Overall body image was found to have a stronger association with victimisation and bullying perpetration than objective BMI-derived weight classification. Further research investigating the mediating role of body image in the relationship between weight, victimisation and bullying is necessary to better understand this association.
© 2013 The Authors. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health © 2013 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (Royal Australasian College of Physicians).

URLhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23530984
DOI10.1111/jpc.12159