If you need a reason to avoid bullying teenagers over their weight beyond that it is cruel, look no further than this new study that links feelings of shame to weight gain.
Overweight female adolescents with a positive body image gain significantly less weight as they became young adults than those with negative feelings about their bodies, according to research out of the University of Minnesota published this week.
The 10-year-long study looked at the body mass index—a common tool recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that uses height and weight to determine whether someone is overweight or obese—and body satisfaction of about 500 boys and girls who were 14- and 15-years-old in 1998 and 1999. Researchers analyzed the BMIs of the young adults again in 2009 and 2010.  Body perception had no noticeable impact on BMI change in adolescent boys, but was a significant factor for women. Those with the lowest levels of body dissatisfaction had gained about six BMI points, while women with the highest levels had only gained about three points.
“Some people believe if young people feel bad about their bodies, this might provide them … the necessary motivation to engage in weight-loss efforts,†Katie Loth, the study’s lead author, told the StarTribune. She was pleased to find that her study proved otherwise.Â
Health concerns are often cited as a reason for body shaming and bullying, even though medical experts have long noted that a person’s health cannot be determined by their weight alone. Health campaigns threaten “Fat Kids Become Fat Adults†and at least nine states send home “fat report cards.†Comedian Nicole Arbour came under fire earlier this month for her YouTube video “Dear Fat People,†in which she insisted that fat shaming could motivate people into losing weight.
This study indicates that not only is Arbour incorrect, but that bullying can have the opposite effect. Loth noted that those with negative self-perception might be more likely to try extreme diets or trends in order to loose weight, and could suffer ill side effects as a consequence. Research from the Obesity Action Coalition found that those stigmatized for their weight were less likely to engage in healthy activities due to lack of confidence.
Loth suggests that parents and educators discourage teasing and focus on physical activity and nutritional food. “The messages we put out for people need to be focused on healthy behaviors,†said Loth, “and not on shaming people for the weights that they are at.â€
Related stories on TakePart:
• Sweet Revenge: Instagram Users Respond to Fat Shaming With Cake Pics
• Mom of Three Strips Down to Bikini in Public to Challenge Body Shamers
Original article from TakePart
- Health
- Obesity
- young adults
- body mass index