Journal article
Associations between Family Weight-Based Teasing, Eating Pathology, and Psychosocial Functioning among Adolescent Military Dependents
International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.17(1), p.24
01/01/2020
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17010024
PMCID: PMC6982056
PMID: 31861426
Abstract
Weight-based teasing (WBT) by family members is commonly reported among youth and is associated with eating and mood-related psychopathology. Military dependents may be particularly vulnerable to family WBT and its sequelae due to factors associated with their parents' careers, such as weight and fitness standards and an emphasis on maintaining one's military appearance; however, no studies to date have examined family WBT and its associations within this population. Therefore, adolescent military dependents at-risk for adult obesity and binge-eating disorder were studied prior to entry in a weight gain prevention trial. Youth completed items from the Weight-Based Victimization Scale (to assess WBT by parents and/or siblings) and measures of psychosocial functioning, including the Beck Depression Inventory-II, The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Social Adjustment Scale. Eating pathology was assessed via the Eating Disorder Examination interview, and height and fasting weight were measured to calculate BMIz. Analyses of covariance, adjusting for relevant covariates including BMIz, were conducted to assess relationships between family WBT, eating pathology, and psychosocial functioning. Participants were 128 adolescent military dependents (mean age: 14.35 years old, 54% female, 42% non-Hispanic White, mean BMIz: 1.95). Nearly half the sample (47.7%) reported family WBT. Adjusting for covariates, including BMIz, family WBT was associated with greater eating pathology, poorer social functioning and self-esteem, and more depressive symptoms (ps <= 0.02). Among military dependents with overweight and obesity, family WBT is prevalent and may be linked with eating pathology and impaired psychosocial functioning; prospective research is needed to elucidate the temporal nature of these associations.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Associations between Family Weight-Based Teasing, Eating Pathology, and Psychosocial Functioning among Adolescent Military Dependents
- Creators
- Arielle T. Pearlman - Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesNatasha A. Schvey - Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesM. K. Higgins Neyland - Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesSenait Solomon - Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesKathrin Hennigan - Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesRachel Schindler - Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesWilliam Leu - Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesDakota Gillmore - Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesLisa M. Shank - Military Outcomes Cardiovascular Research (MiCOR)Jason M. Lavender - Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesNatasha L. Burke - Fordham UniversityDenise E. Wilfley - Washington University in St. LouisTracy Sbrocco - Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesMark Stephens - Pennsylvania State UniversitySarah Jorgensen - Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical CenterDavid Klein - Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesJeffrey Quinlan - Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesMarian Tanofsky-Kraff - Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.17(1), p.24
- DOI
- 10.3390/ijerph17010024
- PMID
- 31861426
- PMCID
- PMC6982056
- NLM abbreviation
- Int J Environ Res Public Health
- ISSN
- 1661-7827
- eISSN
- 1660-4601
- Publisher
- Mdpi
- Number of pages
- 15
- Grant note
- R01DK104115 / NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES AND DIGESTIVE AND KIDNEY DISEASES; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) MED 83-10180 / Defense Health Agency 1R01DK104115-01 / National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK); United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/01/2020
- Academic Unit
- Family and Community Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984297334302771
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