The Relationship Between Peer Bullying and Anxiety- Depression Levels in Children With Obesity

Abstract

Objective: It has been reported that there is a significant relationship between obesityand mental health problems, and the exposure to peer bullying plays a mediating rolein this relationship. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of peer bullying in children withobesity and to investigate the relationship between bullying and anxiety and depressionlevels.Methods: A total of 64 patients aged between 8 and 16 years with obesity and 51 ageandgender-matched healthy children and adolescents without obesity were included inthe study. Children in both groups were administered the Children’s Depression Inventory(CDI) to determine their depression levels, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to determinetheir anxiety levels, and the Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire for Studentsto evaluate the bullying status.Results: Peer bullying rates, CDI, and STAI scores were significantly higher in children andadolescents in the obesity group compared with those in the control group (P < .05 for all).In the obesity group, depression and anxiety scores were found to be higher in childrenwho were exposed to bullying compared with those who were not exposed to bullying(P < .05 for all). Obesity was found to increase the likelihood of peer bullying by 3.015times (P = .018), and it was also found that the increase in the symptoms of trait anxietyand depression increased the likelihood of peer bullying (P = .01, P = .002, respectively).Discussion: In this study, it was shown that obesity is a risk factor for peer bullying, andboth obesity and peer bullying negatively affect children’s mental health. More detailedstudies that explain the relationship between obesity, bullying, and mental problems willguide clinicians in obesity management.