Perceived obesity associated with self-harm in teenagers

Perceived obesity associated with self-harm in teenagers

Teens who perceive themselves to be overweight are three times more likely to consider self-employment than those who don't, regardless of whether the person is objectively overweight, according to a new study published by the University of Texas at Arlington.

We found that perception of excess weight has a much stronger effect on suicidal ideation than objective measures of weight. “

Philip Baiden, senior author and associate professor at the University of Texas at Arlington

Dr. Baiden led the research with UTA Social Work Professor Catherine Labrenz, along with researchers from UT Dallas, Texas Woman's University, Florida International University, New York University, Simmons University and the University of Ghana.

"This finding ties neatly into recent calls to reconsider how accurate BMI is as a tool for diagnosing individuals as overweight or obese," Baiden said.

Published in peer-reviewed journalPsychiatry researchResearchers examined data from more than 39,000 people ages 14 to 18 obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Behavioral Illness and Prevention Youth Behavioral Risk Survey. It took into account factors such as socioeconomic status, family dynamics, academic pressures and adverse childhood experiences.

The pooled data from 2015 to 2021 included both self-reported data from youth as well as information obtained from caregivers and school records. This comprehensive approach allowed researchers to identify the relationship between weight perception and the increased likelihood of mental health problems.

“Even after adjusting for established suicide ideation risk factors such as hopelessness, bullying, cyberbullying, substance use, and demographic variables, we still found an association between how adolescents feel about their weight and whether they consider self-care,” Dr. Dr. Labrenz, co-author of the study, said. “We also found that women were more at risk than men to identify themselves as overweight.”

The study also shows the crucial role of schools, families and communities in creating supportive environments that can help improve young people's self-perception, the former because they can offer mental health points and promote a positive and inclusive atmosphere.

“By investing in preventive measures and early intervention programs,” Baiden said, “it is possible to reduce the long-term burden on the health system and improve the quality of life for young people.”

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