Teased about your weight as a teen? You’re twice as likely to become an obese adult

A new study in the US has shown that teenage kids would have been teased about weight are twice as likely to become obese in adulthood.

People who are mocked or teased about their weight during adolescence are around twice as likely to become obese in adulthood, according to a study published in Preventive Medicine.

Researchers at the University of Connecticut, USA, have highlighted the long-term consequences that could be associated with teasing teens about their weight.

By following nearly 1,800 people for 15 years, from their teens to their early 30s, the scientists observed that young people who were teased about their weight were about twice as likely to become obese. Other consequences include unhealthy dieting and eating habits.

The study found that people who were teased as teens were more likely to become emotional eaters, eating in response to emotional stress -- especially women. Women were also more likely to engage in unhealthy weight control behaviours. On a psychological level, teased teens were more likely to have a poor body image, particularly women.

Schoolyard bullies aren’t the only ones responsible for teasing teens about their weight. The study points out that parents and relatives should also think twice about making comments or jokes about their teenager’s weight. The scientists found that women were more affected than men by weight-based teasing from family members.

Women were also more likely to engage in unhealthy weight control behaviours.

The AAP also recommends more frequent family meals. Although there’s no need to impose a family meal every evening, eating together as often as possible can be an effective means for parents to help teach good eating habits to children from an early age.

In the USA, 38% of adults and 17% of teenagers are currently obese.

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