Relationships between Weight Status and Bullying Victimization among School-aged Adolescents in Guangdong Province of China

ObjectiveTo examine relationships between weight status and different forms of bullying victimization among adolescents aged 11-18 years.MethodsThe relationships between weight status and bullying victimization (physical, verbal, and relational) were examined utilizing data from the Guangdong Provincial Youth Health Behavior Survey. Data on height, weight, and victimization behaviors were collected by self-reporting from 12 439 subjects. (χ2 test and logistic regression were used to analyze relationships between weight and bullying victimization.ResultsThe incidence of victimization for adolescents aged 11-18 years was 8.6%, with higher rates for boys (12.4%) than for girls (4.7%). For children with normal, overweight and obese body mass index (BMI), the incidence rates of victimization were 8.2%, 17.3%, and 11.5%, respectively. Compared to normal weight, overweight was a risk factor for bullying victimization (OR=1.60, 95% CI:1.18-2.17), and it also increased children's risk of being teased in a hurtful way (OR=2.13, 95% CI: 1.41-3.24) and being made fun of due to physical appearance (OR=3.58, 95% CI: 2.27-5.67). Obesity only increased the risk for children of being made fun of due to physical appearance (OR=2.45, 95% CI: 1.44-4.15).ConclusionsThe victimization for children at school is common in Guangdong province, China. Overweight and obese children are more likely to be victims of bullying behaviors, especially verbal victimization.