A study reveals…mothers’ mockery of teenagers’ weight is linked to psychological effects

A new study conducted by researchers at the Rudd Center for Food and Health Policy at the University of Connecticut revealed that family members’ ridicule of overweight teenagers is associated with persistent negative consequences for their psychological and physical health.

The study, published in the Journal of Child Psychology, showed that this type of bullying within the family may lead to bouts of binging and unhealthy weight-control behaviors, in addition to low self-esteem in adolescents.

The researchers relied on analyzing data from 1,073 teenagers between the ages of 10 and 17, studying the influence of 11 categories of family members, including parents, siblings, and second-degree relatives.

The results showed that maternal sarcasm was most closely associated with negative effects, while girls reported higher rates of exposure to weight-related bullying compared to boys, especially from female relatives.

The study also showed that weight-related stigma may affect adolescents regardless of their body shape, as even thin people are sometimes subjected to ridicule by family members.

The researchers called for adopting family interventions to reduce this phenomenon and enhance positive communication with adolescents, stressing that daily interactions within the family may leave long-term effects on mental and physical health.