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Longitudinal Associations Among Change in Overweight Status, Fear of Negative Evaluation, and Weight-Related Teasing Among Obese Adolescents

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To examine longitudinal bidirectional associations between changes in adolescents' weight status and psychosocial constructs. METHOD: 118 obese adolescents aged 13-16 years participated in a behavioral weight control intervention. Percent overweight (OW), fear of negative evaluation (FNE), and frequency of weight-related teasing (WRT) were collected at baseline, end of intervention, and 12 and 24 months post-randomization. 3 multivariate latent change score models were estimated to examine longitudinal cross-lagged associations between: (1) OW and FNE; (2) OW and WRT; and (3) FNE and WRT. RESULTS: Decreases in OW were prospectively associated with subsequent decreases in both FNE and WRT; however, changes in FNE and WRT were not prospectively associated with subsequent change in OW. Decreases in FNE were prospectively associated with subsequent decreases in WRT. CONCLUSION: Moderate weight loss in the context of a behavioral weight control intervention has positive long-term implications for obese adolescents' peer relations.

Source: Journal of Pediatric Psychology

DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsu033

Authors: D. Rancourt, D. H. Barker, A. F. Sato, E. E. Lloyd-Richardson, C. N. Hart, E. Jelalian