A recent study published by StopBullying.gov indicates weight may slightly increase the presence of bullying among boys more than girls.

Authors note the objective of the study was to examine the association between body weight status at all levels (including underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity) and bullying victimization among US adolescents using nationally representative data.

Researchers found a statistically significant association between body weight and bullying victimization among male (p=.001), but not female students (p=.838. For girls the prevalence of being bullied slightly increased from underweight (33.58%) to normal weight (34.36%) to obesity (36.18%), but failed to reach statistical significance.

For boys, being bullied was also significantly associated with younger age, being white, feeling hopeless, having suicidal ideation, and excessive video-game playing.

Researchers concluded the weight and bullying association appears to exist in boys but not in girls, partly because of the body weight stigma and sex stereotypes among US adolescents.

The researchers used logistic regression to examine the association between bullying victimization and body weight status by sex with the data from 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, controlling for demographics, selected behavioral confounders and complex survey design.

They suggested future studies should also investigate the risk factors associated with sex-specific bullying to develop effective anti-bullying programs for youth.

Michaela Madison Reporting