The Weight of Weight: The Impact of Obesity on Childhood Bullying
Document Type
Poster Presentation
Keywords
Obesity, bullying, childhood obesity, childhood bullying
Biography
Rhiannon Brewer is a senior psychology major at Marshall University. She is minoring in Sexuality Studies and Womens Studies and is interested in clinical psychology.
Major
Psychology
Advisor for this project
Dr. Penny Koontz
Abstract
Abstract
This literature review examines the relationship between childhood obesity and bullying for both children and adults. The author expects to find that the rate of childhood bullying increases with obesity and that there is a negative long-term effect on adults who were bullied because of their weight. Findings show that children who suffer from bullying report higher rates of suicidal ideation, depression, and lower self-esteem. Weight-specific bullying is shown to increase rates of disordered eating and reduce success rates in weight-loss programs. Parents and previous victims of childhood weight-based bullying have been shown to desire better protection for at-risk children. The data supports the author’s hypothesis that obese children have a higher risk of being bullied for their weight. The research suggests that weight-related bullying is not as well discussed as it should be and that schools should create more regulations regarding punishment for bullies and assistance for those being bullied. Furthermore, there should also be better weight management treatment for adults and children. There could be many benefits to having more research done in more schools to create a better population to better understand and assist those at risk for childhood bullying.
The Weight of Weight: The Impact of Obesity on Childhood Bullying
Abstract
This literature review examines the relationship between childhood obesity and bullying for both children and adults. The author expects to find that the rate of childhood bullying increases with obesity and that there is a negative long-term effect on adults who were bullied because of their weight. Findings show that children who suffer from bullying report higher rates of suicidal ideation, depression, and lower self-esteem. Weight-specific bullying is shown to increase rates of disordered eating and reduce success rates in weight-loss programs. Parents and previous victims of childhood weight-based bullying have been shown to desire better protection for at-risk children. The data supports the author’s hypothesis that obese children have a higher risk of being bullied for their weight. The research suggests that weight-related bullying is not as well discussed as it should be and that schools should create more regulations regarding punishment for bullies and assistance for those being bullied. Furthermore, there should also be better weight management treatment for adults and children. There could be many benefits to having more research done in more schools to create a better population to better understand and assist those at risk for childhood bullying.
