Research Reveals Link between Abnormal Body Weight in Children and Bullying

Posted on: 08 August 2011

Children who are overweight or obese are more likely to be victimised by bullying when compared to children who are not overweight.  The study, conducted by researchers at Trinity College’s Department of Public Health and Primary Care, explored the links between abnormal body weight and obesity in nine-year-olds and its associations with chronic illness and bullying.

Using a sample of 8,568 nine-year-old children and their families from the first wave of data collection from the Growing Up in Ireland study, a national study led by TCD and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), the researchers found obesity to be more prevalent in girls.  In addition children, particularly boys, with an abnormal body weight had a significantly higher rate of an ongoing chronic illness.  Children who were overweight or obese were a lot more likely to be victimised by bullying when compared to children who were not overweight.

Speaking about the study Clinical Research Fellow at TCD’s Department of Public Health and Primary Care and HRB Centre for Primary Care Research, Dr Udo Reulbach said: “Previous research has indicated that girls may be more susceptible to overweight and obesity than boys.  Obesity and overweight are of major concern in Irish children with girls being more affected.  It is associated with a higher likelihood of having chronic conditions and being bullied.”

Childhood obesity is a major personal, family and public health challenge.  Weight problems and obesity in children have increased dramatically throughout Europe in the past two decades.  In addition to the increased likelihood of adult obesity with its associated health risks, serious short-term physical and psychosocial consequences endanger the wellbeing of an affected child.

Obesity has been well established as a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, musculoskeletal disorders, other chronic diseases, some cancers and an overall higher chance of premature death and disability.  In addition to the physical consequences, childhood overweight and obesity is associated with a range of other negative outcomes including poor psychological and educational outcomes and social inequalities.

The study’s findings were presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Academic Primary Care (SAPC), the leading academic primary care meeting in the UK, held recently at the University of Bristol.