When schools fail to act, weight-based bullying can continue
Young people who experience bullying because of their weight feel that their schools do not take the problem seriously enough. In some cases, they change their own behavior to avoid harassment, according to a new study from Lund University.
A new study reveals how weight-based bullying impacts young people's lives, self-image, and relationships when schools fail to address the issue. The research, conducted by Kajsa Järvholm, a psychologist at Lund University, interviewed 13 adolescents aged 12-19 who experienced weight-related bullying at school. The adolescents described both overt acts of harassment and more subtle forms of mistreatment, such as derogatory comments, social exclusion, physical aggression, looks, whispers, and situations that made them feel others were laughing at them.
Some participants reported their experiences being downplayed or their concerns not being taken seriously by adults at school. They were advised to avoid the situation or lose weight to stop the bullying. This study highlights the importance of schools signaling who is doing something wrong and who needs to change their behavior, rather than expecting the victim to adjust their behavior to avoid harassment.
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