Effects of weight teasing and gender on body esteem in youth: A longitudinal analysis from the REAL study. (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Valois, Darcie D.; Davis, Christopher G.; Buchholz, Annick; Obeid, Nicole; Henderson, Katherine; Flament, Martine; Goldfield, Gary S.
• Is Part Of: Body image. Volume 29(2019)
• Page Start: 65
• Page End: 73
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: Body esteem -- Weight teasing -- Youth -- Mental health -- Weight status -- Gender; Body image -- Periodicals; Body image -- Research -- Periodicals; Body Image -- Periodicals; 306.4613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2019.02.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1740-1445

Abstract

Highlights: Via multilevel modeling, peer weight teasing negatively predicted weight and appearance esteem. Weight teasing from boys was more strongly related to lower appearance esteem for girls than boys. Peer weight teasing was more prevalent among youth with overweight/obesity. Teasing by girls was more strongly related to lower weight esteem in 'average weight' youth than those above average weight. Abstract: Weight teasing is associated with body dissatisfaction, but no study has examined the differential impact of the teasing source's gender. This study examined whether the longitudinal relationship between weight teasing (by peers), weight-related comments (by parents) and body esteem differed by the teasing sources' gender, and whether these relationships were moderated by victims' weight status and demographic factors. A school-based sample ( N = 1197 at Time 1; 60% female) of adolescents completed surveys over approximately 2 years (Time 1-Time 3). Multilevel modeling showed that teasing from a male peer had a stronger, negative association with appearance esteem for female victims than males. Although weight teasing was more prevalent among youth with overweight/obesity, teasing from female peers had a stronger negative association with weight esteem for adolescents of average weight. Results suggest the weight teasing sources' gender may differentially impact the victims' body esteem, and highlights the need to consider these factors in weight teasing prevention strategies.