The effects of relative body weight on socioemotional and schooling outcomes among female adolescents in the United States

The gendered relationship between cumulative exposure to lower community attachment and adolescent health

This study examines whether the longitudinal association between cumulative exposure to lower community attachment and adolescent health differs by gender. Using seven waves of the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey spanning 2010-2016, this study examines the association between cumulative exposure to lower community attachment and self-rated health among Korean adolescents. This study estimated fixed-effects models to account for unobserved confounders at the individual level. Fixed-effects estimates revealed that cumulative exposure to lower community attachment is associated with a decreased likelihood of reporting excellent health. Starting from the initial exposure, girls' self-rated health continued to deteriorate over time. In contrast, boys' self-rated health decreased for up to 3 years of persistent exposure, but has since returned to pre-exposure levels. The association between cumulative exposure to lower levels of community attachment and a decline in self-rated health is more pronounced among girls than boys. Gender-specific community-based interventions during adolescence may be required to promote adolescent health and well-being.

Social alienation of adolescents with obesity in classrooms: A multilevel approach

INTRODUCTION

Adolescents with obesity are more likely to be isolated by peers, but whether they also choose to disengage from their peers remains unclear.

METHODS

This study examined a sample of 646 adolescents between the age of 13 and 16 across 34 classrooms in 3 junior high schools in Taiwan, with data collected from May to June 2019. The sociometric network nomination method assessed peer relationships, such as unpopularity, unsociability, and alienation. Multilevel models were applied to explore the extent to which the class-level prevalence of overweight and obesity and peer support moderate the relationship between student-level obesity and peer relationships.

RESULTS

Overall, students with obesity were more likely to experience unpopularity, unsociability, and alienation from their peers in classroom settings (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.904, 2.208, 2.777, p < .05). Regardless of their obesity status, students in high classroom peer support were less likely to report unsociability (AOR = 0.124, p < .05). No cross-level interactions were observed, indicating that students with obesity did not experience a reduction of peer rejection in high peer support classrooms. Neither did obese students in classrooms with higher rates of overweight and obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

Students with obesity were more likely to experience interpersonal problems. Classroom peer support can increase peer acceptance for typical students but has no beneficial influence on adolescents with weight problems. Classroom peer support needs to be directed to become adequate support for students with obesity.