Associations Between Specific Forms of Teasing and Body Image Dissatisfaction in Adolescents: A School-Based Study.

The study measured everything at a single time point, so it cannot show whether teasing came before body dissatisfaction or whether dissatisfaction made teasing more likely. Teasing and body image were self-reported, so answers may be affected by memory or by wanting to appear acceptable. Teasing responses were collapsed into any experience versus never, so the study cannot show whether more frequent teasing is worse. Participants were public high school students in Boa Vista, Roraima, and pregnant adolescents or those unable to complete questionnaires independently were excluded, so the results may not apply to other regions or to patients with greater disability. No intervention was tested, so the study cannot show whether reducing teasing or changing school policies improves body image.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Do not conclude that teasing causes body image dissatisfaction or that reducing it will improve body image. The study was cross-sectional and did not test any intervention.