Adolescents' Experiences of Weight- Related Bullying in the School Setting : A Qualitative Study
Andersson, Emelie ; Mpatsiaris Riboe, Nicole and Järvholm, Kajsa LU
(2026)
In Acta Pædiatrica
115(10).
p.2269-2277
- Abstract
- Aim
Obesity is a stigmatised disease, and weight-related bullying is the most common form of victimisation. This study aimed to provide a nuanced understanding of adolescents’ experiences of such victimisation and related interventions.
Methods
Data were collected between April and October 2025 through semi-structured interviews and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Participants were Swedish adolescents aged 12–19 years, primarily recruited from obesity units.
Results
The analysis generated three main themes. My body is the problem reflects how weight-related bullying is experienced in everyday contexts and how adolescents encounter pervasive messages devaluing their bodies and self-worth. When the... (More) - Aim
Obesity is a stigmatised disease, and weight-related bullying is the most common form of victimisation. This study aimed to provide a nuanced understanding of adolescents’ experiences of such victimisation and related interventions.
Methods
Data were collected between April and October 2025 through semi-structured interviews and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Participants were Swedish adolescents aged 12–19 years, primarily recruited from obesity units.
Results
The analysis generated three main themes. My body is the problem reflects how weight-related bullying is experienced in everyday contexts and how adolescents encounter pervasive messages devaluing their bodies and self-worth. When the school turns a blind eye illustrates how the school fails to protect and at times becomes part of the problem. I'm ruined for life captures how bullying erodes trust, self-confidence, and optimism about the future.
Conclusion
Adolescents report that weight-related bullying has substantial negative effects on both their current and future well-being. They also perceive that schools do not take such bullying seriously enough. Healthcare providers should routinely assess whether adolescents with obesity experience weight-related bullying and respond appropriately. Schools must recognise weight-related bullying as a pervasive issue and implement strategies that do not place responsibility on the victim. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/2c7c8d00-b7fe-4b45-80e6-5f5711cebdad
- author
- Andersson, Emelie
; Mpatsiaris Riboe, Nicole
and Järvholm, Kajsa
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- Acta Pædiatrica
- volume
- 115
- issue
- 10
- pages
- 2269 - 2277
- publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105041545172
- ISSN
- 1651-2227
- DOI
- 10.1111/apa.70652
- project
- Att bli retad eller mobbad för sin vikt i skolan - ungdomars, unga vuxnas och vårdnadshavares perspektiv
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 2c7c8d00-b7fe-4b45-80e6-5f5711cebdad
- date added to LUP
- 2026-06-14 09:01:17
- date last changed
- 2026-09-09 09:58:51
@article{2c7c8d00-b7fe-4b45-80e6-5f5711cebdad,
abstract = {{Aim<br/>Obesity is a stigmatised disease, and weight-related bullying is the most common form of victimisation. This study aimed to provide a nuanced understanding of adolescents’ experiences of such victimisation and related interventions.<br/><br/>Methods<br/>Data were collected between April and October 2025 through semi-structured interviews and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Participants were Swedish adolescents aged 12–19 years, primarily recruited from obesity units.<br/><br/>Results<br/>The analysis generated three main themes. My body is the problem reflects how weight-related bullying is experienced in everyday contexts and how adolescents encounter pervasive messages devaluing their bodies and self-worth. When the school turns a blind eye illustrates how the school fails to protect and at times becomes part of the problem. I'm ruined for life captures how bullying erodes trust, self-confidence, and optimism about the future.<br/><br/>Conclusion<br/>Adolescents report that weight-related bullying has substantial negative effects on both their current and future well-being. They also perceive that schools do not take such bullying seriously enough. Healthcare providers should routinely assess whether adolescents with obesity experience weight-related bullying and respond appropriately. Schools must recognise weight-related bullying as a pervasive issue and implement strategies that do not place responsibility on the victim.}},
author = {{Andersson, Emelie and Mpatsiaris Riboe, Nicole and Järvholm, Kajsa}},
issn = {{1651-2227}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{10}},
pages = {{2269--2277}},
publisher = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
series = {{Acta Pædiatrica}},
title = {{Adolescents' Experiences of Weight- Related Bullying in the School Setting : A Qualitative Study}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/apa.70652}},
doi = {{10.1111/apa.70652}},
volume = {{115}},
year = {{2026}},
}