Article
Details
Citation
Sutin AR, Robinson E, Daly M & Terracciano A (2018) Perceived Body Discrimination and Intentional Self-Harm and Suicidal Behavior in Adolescence. Childhood Obesity, 14 (8), pp. 528-536. https://doi.org/10.1089/chi.2018.0096
Abstract
Background: This study examines whether discrimination based on the body is associated with intentional self-harm and suicidal behavior in adolescence.
Methods: Participants were from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (N?=?2948; 48% female). Discrimination and items on self-harm and suicidal behavior were measured in the Wave 6 assessment, when study participants were 14–15 years old. BMI, depressive symptoms, peer victimization, and weight self-perception were also assessed.
Results: Discrimination was associated with increased risk of thoughts of self-harm (OR?=?2.41, 95% CI?=?1.88–3.10), hurting the self on purpose (OR?=?2.27, 95% CI?=?1.67–3.08), considering suicide (OR?=?2.17, 95% CI?=?1.59–2.96), having a suicide plan (OR?=?2.50, 95% CI?=?1.81–2.47), attempting suicide (OR?=?1.96, 95% CI?=?1.30–2.96), controlling for sociodemographic factors, BMI, and depressive symptoms. These associations generally held adjusting for peer victimization or weight self-perception.
Conclusions: Weight discrimination has been associated consistently with poor outcomes in adulthood. The present research indicates these associations extend to adolescence and an extremely consequential outcome: the social experience of weight increases risk of intentional self-harm and suicidal behavior.
Keywords
Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health; Nutrition and Dietetics; Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Journal
Childhood Obesity: Volume 14, Issue 8
Status | Published |
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Funders | and |
Publication date | 18/09/2018 |
Publication date online | 18/09/2018 |
Date accepted by journal | 11/08/2018 |
URL | |
Publisher | Mary Ann Liebert Inc |
ISSN | 2153-2168 |
eISSN | 2153-2176 |