"It's Not the Stereotypical 80s Movie Bullying": A Qualitative Study on the High School Environment, Body Image, and Weight Stigma.
Rachel S Plummer, Zanny Alter, Rebekka M Lee and 6 others
PMID 35702896WHAT IT FOUND
Students did not report weight stigma from teachers, but described physical education as uncomfortable for larger-bodied students, especially running, swimming, and lifting.
Self-criticism and friend teasing were common; dress code was seen as harmful to larger-bodied girls and girls of color.
Key findings
01Students perceived teachers and administrators as supportive and did not report weight stigma from them, but described physical education as uncomfortable for larger-bodied students, especially running, swimming, and lifting.
02Self-directed body talk and behind-the-back friend-group teasing were common, while overt weight-related bullying was rarely identified.
03Students identified dress code and some biology class practices, including calorie tracking and an obesity movie, as harmful to body image, with dress code seen as disproportionately affecting larger-bodied girls and girls of color.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Twenty-four students from two schools were interviewed, so the findings are not generalizable to all high school students. Interviews were conducted in person and over Zoom during the pandemic, which may have changed responses. Eating disorders were not directly asked about, so that finding is incidental.
Declared interests
The supplied metadata lists NIH extramural and non-U.S. government research support. No author conflict-of-interest statement is provided.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as proof that changing physical education or dress codes improves body image. The study only reports student perceptions from 24 interviews and did not test any intervention.