Weight-based bullying ups alcohol use risks in adolescence

NEW YORK: Adolescents bullied about their weight or body shape are more likely to use alcohol or marijuana than others, according to a new study.

According to the study, published in the journal Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, the link between appearance-related teasing and substance use was the strongest among overweight girls, raising special concerns about this group. “This type of bullying is common and has many negative effects on adolescents. The combination of appearance-related teasing and the increased sensitivity to body image during adolescence may create a heightened risk for substance use,” said study lead author Melanie Klinck from the University of Connecticut in the US.

The study, conducted at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, involved 1,344 students, aged 11-14 years, from five public middle schools near Hartford, Connecticut. They were asked if siblings, parents or peers teased them about their weight, body shape or eating during the past six months. More than half (55 percent) of the participants, which included three out of four overweight girls (76 percent), 71 percent of overweight boys, 52 percent of girls and 43 percent of boys who weren’t overweight, reported weight-based teasing. The participants were also asked about their alcohol and marijuana use. (IANS)

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