Overweight Kids More Likely to be Bullied

< May 05, 2010 > -- According to a new study, kids carrying a few extra pounds may invite trouble from the schoolyard bully.

New research suggests that just being overweight increases the risk of being bullied. In addition, factors that usually play a role in the risk of being bullied, such as gender, race, and family income levels, do not seem to matter if a child is overweight - being overweight or obese trumps all those other factors when it comes to aggressive behavior from other children.

The study, which will be published in the journal Pediatrics in June, found that being overweight increased the risk of being the target of bullying by 63 percent.

"One of the reasons we started this study is that obesity is so much more common today. Now that about half of kids are overweight or obese, it doesn't make you such an outlier anymore, so we thought maybe kids wouldn't be bullied for being overweight anymore," says study author Dr. Julie Lumeng, an assistant research scientist at the Center for Human Growth and Development at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She adds that the researchers also hoped they might be able to find some protective factors against being bullied, such as doing well in school.

"What we found, much to our dismay, was that nothing seemed to matter. If you were obese, you were more likely to be bullied, no matter what," she says.

Third-, Fifth-, and Sixth-Graders Studied

Dr. Lumeng's study included 821 boys and girls from a nationally representative sample of children selected from 10 sites around the US. Bullying behaviors were assessed in third, fifth, and sixth grades. The youngsters were mostly white, half of them were male, and 15 percent were overweight in the third grade.

By sixth grade, teachers reported that 34 percent of the study children had been bullied, and mothers reported that 45 percent of the children had been bullied, while 25 percent of the children themselves said they had been bullied.

Previous research has shown that boys, minorities, and children from low-income groups are more likely to be bullied, so the researchers took these factors into account to see if they made a difference. The study authors also considered a child's social skills and academic achievement in their analysis.

"No matter how much we retested, the findings were very robust. Obese kids are more likely to be bullied," Dr. Lumeng says.

Findings Consistent Throughout Age Groups

Dr. Lumeng believes that one of the reasons the study findings were so consistent is that prejudice against overweight or obese people is "so pervasive that it's acceptable." But, she adds, "Obesity is really complex. It's not all about willpower. It's a brain-based disorder, and I hope that message becomes clearer."

Dana Rofey, an assistant professor with the Weight Management and Wellness Center at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, says she was not surprised by the findings. "Bullying is the most common psychosocial complaint that our patients [come in] with," she says.

Parents Should Take Heed if Child is Overweight or Obese

"For parents and pediatricians, one of the issues our study raises is that if you're caring for a child who's overweight, you need to be alert to this and you might want to gently bring it up with the child. Ask, 'How are things at school going?' or 'Does anyone ever say something that makes you feel bad?' because this may be an issue that's difficult for kids to bring up," says Dr. Lumeng.

If your child lets you know that he or she is being bullied, Dr. Lumeng says your first response should be to validate your child's feelings and let them know that it is not okay for someone to treat them like that.

However, Dr. Lumeng and Rofey agree that what to do next can be tricky.

"Be supportive, and let your child know that you'll help them. Consult with your child and ask how he or she would like you to get involved," advises Rofey. Many youngsters may ask their parents to take a hands-off approach, she says. But she recommends setting some guidelines. "Say something like, 'It seems you have this under control right now, but let's keep talking and checking in about it.'"

Rofey also recommends teaching your child how to avoid situations that might lead to teasing or bullying, and talking with your child about how to reach out to adults if they need to. Depending on the situation, she says that parents may need to step in and advocate for their children at the school. But, she advises always letting your children know what steps you will be taking.

Always consult your child's physician for more information.

Why Be Concerned about Childhood Obesity?

Being overweight or obese places a child at risk for many health problems. An obese child is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, a condition that formerly occurred only in adults, but is becoming increasingly prevalent at younger ages. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there has been an alarming increase in diabetes among obese children and adolescents recently.

Obese children often have high cholesterol and high blood pressure, increasing their risk for heart disease. Children who are obese are more likely to have asthma and sleep apnea, a breathing problem that interrupts sleep, as well as bone and joint disorders. And overweight children are more likely to become overweight adults.

The psychological stress that overweight children experience can be as devastating as the medical problems. They are often teased by other children and as a result suffer poor self-image, low self-esteem, and depression.

Helping your children to have a healthy body weight is a family affair. Instead of putting the focus on the overweight child, the whole family should get involved in making healthy changes in activity and eating habits, experts say. As a parent, you are the most significant role model for your children, so it is important that you set an example with healthy lifestyle habits.

If you are concerned about your child's weight, first talk to your pediatrician or family doctor. Your child's doctor can determine whether your child is at a healthy weight by calculating his or her body mass index (BMI).

BMI, a ratio of weight to height, is considered the best method for evaluating weight in children. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a child with a body mass index (BMI) between the 85th and 95th percentile for age and sex is considered at risk of being overweight, and BMI at or above the 95th percentile is considered overweight or obese. (To find an online child's BMI calculator, you can go to http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi/.) Your pediatrician will compare this number with a growth chart for children of your child's same age and sex.

Your pediatrician can help you identify appropriate weight management goals for your child. Often, the goal is not to lose weight, but to change behavior. Restrictive diets are not recommended for overweight children. Rather, the goal is to help them maintain their weight as they grow taller.

Another approach is to help a child burn more calories by being more physically active. A registered dietitian can provide guidance on eating behaviors, meal planning and shopping. If your child is at risk for medical problems, your doctor may recommend a formal weight management program staffed by a team of health professionals, such as a pediatrician, dietitian, and psychologist.

Most important, let your children know that you love them, regardless of their weight. Give your children plenty of support and approval. Helping to build your children's self-esteem is a great way to help them develop healthy new habits.

Always consult your child's physician for more information.