year compared to kids who weren’t teased, the findings showed.
Schvey said that while her study can’t prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship, the researchers did consider factors that might have accounted for the additional weight gain.
There are a number of factors that may set these kids up for more weight gain, she said.
“Weight-based teasing is associated with a bunch of unhealthy behaviors. Teasing about weight can prompt unhealthy eating. Kids may also avoid physical activity because of teasing. There might also be some biological mechanisms. Being stigmatized for your weight is a stressful experience, which might lead to an increase in stress hormones, which might make you crave unhealthy foods,” Schvey explained.
The bottom line is that teasing kids about weight isn’t a
