Obesity Study Reveals Long-lasting Effects of Weight Teasing on Children
A groundbreaking study conducted by the University of Bristol has found that parents who tease their children about their weight are putting them at a greater risk of feeling bad about their bodies well into adulthood, regardless of whether they develop obesity or not.
The research, published in the Lancet Regional Health Europe journal, highlights the long-lasting effects of pressure from parents, families, bullies, and the media. It is the first study to explore the effects of such pressure across decades of people’s lives.
According to the study, thirteen-year-olds who experienced pressure from family members to lose weight and endured weight-based teasing showed higher levels of internalized weight stigma when they turned 31. Internalized weight stigma refers to individuals thinking they are less attractive, less competent, or less valuable due to their weight, even if they do not have obesity or are underweight. This stigma is associated with eating disorders and an increased desire for thinness.
The study involved over 4,000 children from Bristol who were first studied in