The role of peer victimization in the relations between obesity, negative body cognitions, and negative psychosocial outcomes
Date
2015
Authors
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
The first aim of this study was to examine relations between obesity and negative psychosocial outcomes (depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, withdrawal, somatization, school avoidance), negative body cognitions (negative body perception, overconcern with weight), and weight-related victimization. The second aim was to examine whether weight-related victimization plays a mediating role in the relations between obesity and these negative body cognitions and psychosocial outcomes. Participants (924 4 th and 5 th graders) completed self-report measures of weight-related victimization, negative body perception, and overconcern with weight, while teachers completed measures of depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, somatization, withdrawal, and school avoidance. BMI was calculated from parent-reported height and weight. Obese children experienced more weight-related victimization and had higher levels of negative body cognitions than children of all other weight status groups. Obese children also demonstrated higher levels of depression symptoms, withdrawal, and school avoidance than children of at least one other weight status group. Weight-related victimization partially mediated the relation between obesity and the negative body cognitions. Weight-related victimization fully mediated the relation between obesity and withdrawal, as well as between obesity and anxiety symptoms.