Weight-based teasing is associated with gain in BMI and fat mass among children and adolescents at-risk for obesity: A longitudinal study

Background: Youths with overweight and obesity report frequent instances of weight-based teasing. However, little is known about the prospective associations between weight-based teasing and changes in body composition among youth. Objective: To assess associations between weight-based teasing and changes in body mass index (BMI) and fat mass in a longitudinal study of youths with, or at-risk for, overweight and obesity. Methods: One hundred ten youths with, or at-risk for, overweight participated in a longitudinal observational study. The Perception of Teasing Scale was administered at baseline. Height, weight, and body composition were obtained at baseline and at follow-ups (range: 1-15 years). Results: Mean age at baseline was 11.8 years; 53% had overweight/obesity; 36% were non-Hispanic Black; 55% were female; mean follow-up from baseline: 8.5 years. Adjusting for covariates and repeated measures of BMI or fat mass, linear mixed models revealed that weight-based teasing was associated with greater gain of BMI and fat mass across the follow-up period (ps ≤.007). Adjusting for covariates, youths reporting high weight-based teasing (two standard deviations above the mean) experienced a 33% greater gain in BMI (an additional 0.20 kg/m²) and a 91% greater gain in fat mass (an additional 0.65 kg) per year compared with peers who reported no weight-based teasing. Conclusions: Among youths with, and at-risk for, overweight and obesity, weight-based teasing was associated with greater weight and fat gain.