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Addressing Weight-Related Bullying in Schools: Youth Perspectives on School Policies and Interventions

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Title: Addressing Weight-Related Bullying in Schools: Youth Perspectives on School Policies and Interventions
Language: English
Authors: Ritika Kale, Erin N. Harrop (ORCID 0000-0002-0933-1098), Jaylyn R. Kelly, Sarah A. Sullivan (ORCID 0000-0002-3078-4497), Kendrin R. Sonneville (ORCID 0000-0002-0359-3919)
Source: Journal of School Health. 2025 95(12):1007-1016.
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 10
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Bullying, Body Weight, Mental Health, School Policy, Intervention, Adolescents, Young Adults, Educational Environment, Student Experience
DOI: 10.1111/josh.70054
ISSN: 0022-4391
1746-1561
Abstract: Background: Weight-related bullying is linked to negative mental health outcomes. However, anti-bullying policies targeting weight-based bullying remain limited. This study aimed to gather youth perspectives on weight-related bullying and potential school interventions. Methods: Data were collected in November 2022 from the MyVoice National Poll of Youth, a diverse cohort of U.S. youth (ages 14-24). Respondents (n = 621) answered five open-ended questions about weight-related bullying, which were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results: A majority of respondents (71.6%) reported witnessing weight-related bullying. While most respondents attributed bullying to characteristics of the individual doing the bullying (e.g., insecurity), characteristics of the target of the bullying were more commonly named for weight-related bullying compared to bullying in general (46.5% vs. 29.2%; p = 0.0013). Respondents suggested both educational/programming approaches and policy solutions. Most respondents (68.5%) supported the inclusion of weight-related bullying in school anti-bullying policies. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: Research on anti-bullying laws shows potential benefits for youth (e.g., reduced bullying, improved mental health). As policies addressing weight-related bullying expand, research is needed to assess their effectiveness and minimize unintended consequences. Conclusions: Youth support the inclusion of weight-related bullying in school policies, which could help create more supportive environments and improve mental health outcomes.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1489249
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Addressing Weight-Related Bullying in Schools: Youth Perspectives on School Policies and Interventions
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ritika+Kale%22">Ritika Kale</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Erin+N%2E+Harrop%22">Erin N. Harrop</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0933-1098">0000-0002-0933-1098</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jaylyn+R%2E+Kelly%22">Jaylyn R. Kelly</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sarah+A%2E+Sullivan%22">Sarah A. Sullivan</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3078-4497">0000-0002-3078-4497</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kendrin+R%2E+Sonneville%22">Kendrin R. Sonneville</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0359-3919">0000-0002-0359-3919</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+School+Health%22"><i>Journal of School Health</i></searchLink>. 2025 95(12):1007-1016.
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Bullying%22">Bullying</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Body+Weight%22">Body Weight</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mental+Health%22">Mental Health</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Policy%22">School Policy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Intervention%22">Intervention</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adolescents%22">Adolescents</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Young+Adults%22">Young Adults</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Environment%22">Educational Environment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Experience%22">Student Experience</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1111/josh.70054
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  Data: 0022-4391<br />1746-1561
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Background: Weight-related bullying is linked to negative mental health outcomes. However, anti-bullying policies targeting weight-based bullying remain limited. This study aimed to gather youth perspectives on weight-related bullying and potential school interventions. Methods: Data were collected in November 2022 from the MyVoice National Poll of Youth, a diverse cohort of U.S. youth (ages 14-24). Respondents (n = 621) answered five open-ended questions about weight-related bullying, which were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results: A majority of respondents (71.6%) reported witnessing weight-related bullying. While most respondents attributed bullying to characteristics of the individual doing the bullying (e.g., insecurity), characteristics of the target of the bullying were more commonly named for weight-related bullying compared to bullying in general (46.5% vs. 29.2%; p = 0.0013). Respondents suggested both educational/programming approaches and policy solutions. Most respondents (68.5%) supported the inclusion of weight-related bullying in school anti-bullying policies. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: Research on anti-bullying laws shows potential benefits for youth (e.g., reduced bullying, improved mental health). As policies addressing weight-related bullying expand, research is needed to assess their effectiveness and minimize unintended consequences. Conclusions: Youth support the inclusion of weight-related bullying in school policies, which could help create more supportive environments and improve mental health outcomes.
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