Examining the role of weight status and Individual attributes on adolescent social relations
Open accessAbstract
Purpose Weight stigmatization during adolescence may compromise the development of social relations important for the development. This study examined the associations between weight status and likelihood of nomination (indegree) for five different social network types-friendship, romantic, admiration, succeed, and popularity.Methods Data for the study were from 1,110 tenth grade students (aged 11-19 years) from four high schools in one Los Angeles school district in 2010. Multiple Poisson regression analyses using generalized linear model were conducted to examine the relationship between weight status (underweight/normal weight/overweight measured with body mass index calculated from self-reported height and weight) and adolescents' indegree for the five different networks.Results Obese adolescents were significantly less likely to be nominated as romantic interest (odds ratio [OR]: .29, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .19-42), admired (OR: .80, 95% CI: .65-.97), or popular (OR: .71, 95% CI: .57-.88) compared with their normal weight peers. Overweight adolescents were also less likely to be nominated as a romantic interest (OR: .57, 95% CI: .42-.78) or popular (OR: .67, 95% CI: .53-.84) compared with those who were normal weight. Underweight adolescents were also less likely to be nominated as friends (OR: .76, 95% CI: .60-98), someone admired (OR: .61, 95% CI: .42-.89), likely to succeed (OR: .62, 95% CI: .44-.87), or popular (OR: .40, 95% CI: .25-.64).Conclusions Our results suggest weight status is associated with being selected by peers into different types of adolescent networks. Underweight, overweight, and obese adolescents are at an increased risk for social isolation because of their weight. This may have a negative impact on their peer relations important for social development, self-esteem, and mental health.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Weight-related teasing occurs for overweight and underweight adolescents.
“Moreover, previous studies have shown that weight-related teasing occurs for overweight and underweight adolescents, which consequently may increase the risk of social isolation and mental health problems for both groups [16,17].”
From Psychopathological symptoms and well-being in overweight and underweight adolescents: A network analysis (2021) · cites this paper as [17]
The Abstract’s background passage reports teasing among underweight adolescents and victimization or social isolation among overweight or obese adolescents. Its Conclusions say both groups face increased risk of social isolation, with possible mental-health effects. Our copy does not specifically say that overweight adolescents experience teasing or that teasing causes the isolation and mental-health risks in both groups (page numbers unavailable). (LLM, conf=0.82)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredWeight-related teasing may increase the risk of social isolation and mental health problems for both overweight and underweight groups.
“Moreover, previous studies have shown that weight-related teasing occurs for overweight and underweight adolescents, which consequently may increase the risk of social isolation and mental health problems for both groups [16,17].”
From Psychopathological symptoms and well-being in overweight and underweight adolescents: A network analysis (2021) · cites this paper as [17]
The Conclusions (page not provided) say that underweight, overweight, and obese adolescents are at increased risk of social isolation due to their weight, with possible effects on mental health. The background passage reports teasing among underweight adolescents and victimization among overweight adolescents. The paper does not specifically establish that teasing increases both social isolation and mental health problems in both groups. (LLM, conf=0.81)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Youth risk behavior surveillance-United States, 2017
Kann, L., McManus, T., Harris, W. A., Shanklin, S. L., Flint, K. H., Queen, B., Lowry, R., Chyen, D., Whittle, L., Thornton, J., et al. (2018) · MMWR. Surveillance Summaries · doi:10.15585/mmwr.ss6708a1 · Cited by 2,502 · see citing works
Patchy progress on obesity prevention: emerging examples, entrenched barriers, and new thinking
Roberto, C. A., Swinburn, B., Hawkes, C., Huang, T. T.-K., Costa, S. A., Ashe, M., Zwicker, L., Cawley, J. H., & Brownell, K. D. (2015) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(14)61744-x · Cited by 939 · see citing works
Stigma Experienced by Children and Adolescents With Obesity
Pont, S. J., Puhl, R. M., Cook, S. R., Slusser, W. M., OBESITY, S. O., & THE OBESITY SOCIETY (2017) · PEDIATRICS · doi:10.1542/peds.2017-3034 · Cited by 615 · see citing works
Social Networks and Health: Models, Methods, and Applications
Valente, T. W. (2010) · Cited by 604 · see citing works
Self-citationAdolescent Obesity, Overt and Relational Peer Victimization, and Romantic Relationships
Pearce, M., Boergers, J., & Prinstein, M. J. (2002) · Obesity Research · doi:10.1038/oby.2002.53 · Cited by 367 · see citing works
de Bruyn, E. H., Cillessen, A. H. N., & Wissink, I. B. (2009) · The Journal of Early Adolescence · doi:10.1177/0272431609340517 · Cited by 360 · see citing works
Weight-Based Victimization Toward Overweight Adolescents: Observations and Reactions of Peers
Puhl, R. M., Luedicke, J., & Heuer, C. A. (2011) · Journal of School Health · doi:10.1111/j.1746-1561.2011.00646.x · Cited by 359 · see citing works
Social Networks and Health: Models, Methods, and Applications
Marcum, C. S. (2011) · Contemporary Sociology A Journal of Reviews · doi:10.1177/0094306110396847eee · Cited by 286 · see citing works
Effects of an emotional intelligence intervention on aggression and empathy among adolescents
Castillo, R., Salguero, J. M., Fernández‐Berrocal, P., & Balluerka, N. (2013) · Journal of Adolescence · doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2013.07.001 · Cited by 261 · see citing works
Adolescent Affiliations and Adiposity: A Social Network Analysis of Friendships and Obesity
Valente, T. W., Fujimoto, K., Chou, C. P., & Spruijt‐Metz, D. (2009) · Journal of Adolescent Health · doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.01.007 · Cited by 258 · see citing works
Self-citationAnalysis of count data using poisson regression
Hutchinson, M. K., & Holtman, M. C. (2005) · Research in Nursing & Health · doi:10.1002/nur.20093 · Cited by 203 · see citing works
Popularity and adolescent friendship networks: Selection and influence dynamics.
Dijkstra, J. K., Cillessen, A. H. N., & Borch, C. A. (2012) · Developmental Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0030098 · Cited by 171 · see citing works
Simpkins, S. D., Schaefer, D. R., Price, C. D., & Vest, A. E. (2013) · Journal of Research on Adolescence · doi:10.1111/j.1532-7795.2012.00836.x · Cited by 165 · see citing works
Shoham, D., Tong, L.-P., Lamberson, P. J., Auchincloss, A., Zhang, J., Dugas, L. R., Kaufman, J., Cooper, R., & Luke, A. (2012) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0039795 · Cited by 136 · see citing works
Adams, R. E., & Bukowski, W. M. (2008) · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2008.01886.x · Cited by 133 · see citing works
Mueller, A. S., Pearson, J., Muller, C., Frank, K. A., & Turner, A. (2010) · Journal of Health and Social Behavior · doi:10.1177/0022146509361191 · Cited by 119 · see citing works
Predictors of binge drinking in adolescents: ultimate and distal factors - a representative study
Donath, C., Graessel, E., Baier, D., Pfeiffer, C., Bleich, S., & Hillemacher, T. (2012) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/1471-2458-12-263 · Cited by 110 · see citing works
Latvala, A., Rose, R. J., Pulkkinen, L., Dick, D. M., Korhonen, T., & Kaprio, J. (2014) · Drug and Alcohol Dependence · doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.01.016 · Cited by 102 · see citing works
Nicholson, L. M., Slater, S. J., Chriqui, J. F., et al. (2014) · Spatial Demography · doi:10.1007/bf03354904 · Cited by 100 · see citing works
Adolescent obesity and social networks.
Koehly, L. M., & Loscalzo, A. (2009) · PubMed Central · Cited by 79 · see citing works
Developmental trajectories of childhood obesity and risk behaviors in adolescence
Huang, D. Y. C., Lanza, H. I., Wright, K. N., & Anglin, M. D. (2012) · Journal of Adolescence · doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2012.10.005 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
Shin, H.-S., Valente, T. W., Riggs, N. R., Huh, J., Spruijt-Metz, D., Chou, C.-P., & Ann Pentz, M. (2014) · Obesity · doi:10.1002/oby.20731 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Self-citationVariations in network boundary and type: A study of adolescent peer influences
Valente, T. W., Fujimoto, K., Unger, J. B., et al. (2013) · Social Networks · doi:10.1016/j.socnet.2013.02.008 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Self-citationBeliefs and Perceived Norms Concerning Body Image among African-American and Latino Teenagers
Barroso, C. S., Peters, R. J., Johnson, R. J., et al. (2010) · Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1177/1359105309358197 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Parental involvement, familismo, and academic performance in Hispanic and Caucasian adolescents.
Niemeyer, A. E., Wong, M. M.-H., & Westerhaus, K. J. (2009) · North American journal of psychology · Cited by 56 · see citing works
The influence of body weight on social network ties among adolescents
Ali, M. M., Amialchuk, A. A., & Rizzo, J. A. (2011) · Economics & Human Biology · doi:10.1016/j.ehb.2011.10.001 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Maya‐Jariego, I. (2018) · American Journal of Community Psychology · doi:10.1002/ajcp.12271 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Palacios, D., Dijkstra, J. K., Villalobos, C., et al. (2019) · Journal of School Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jsp.2019.05.006 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Social Relationships and Obesity: Benefits of Incorporating a Lifecourse Perspective
Pachucki, M. C., & Goodman, E. (2015) · Current Obesity Reports · doi:10.1007/s13679-015-0145-z · Cited by 38 · see citing works
de la Haye, K., Dijkstra, J. K., Lubbers, M. J., et al. (2017) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0178130 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Adolescent romantic couples influence on substance use in young adulthood
Gudonis, L. C., Lewis, L., Tong, Y., Tu, W., & Aalsma, M. C. (2011) · Journal of Adolescence · doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2011.08.011 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Pečjak, S., Levpušček, M. P., Zuljan, M. V., Kalin, J., & Peklaj, C. (2009) · University of Zagreb University Computing Centre (SRCE) · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Sherry, B. (2007) · Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine · doi:10.1001/archpedi.161.12.1154 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Adolescent Social Networks and Alcohol Use: Variability by Gender and Type
Jacobs, W., Goodson, P., Barry, A. E., McLeroy, K. R., McKyer, E. L. J., & Valente, T. W. (2016) · Substance Use & Misuse · doi:10.1080/10826084.2016.1245333 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Self-citationPeer Reviewed: Adolescent Obesity and Social Networks
Koehly, L. M., & Loscalzo, A. (2009) · Preventing Chronic Disease · Cited by 9 · see citing works
What’s love got to do with it? Adolescent romantic networks and substance use
Jacobs, W., Jeon, K. C., Goodson, P., & Valente, T. W. (2015) · International Journal of Adolescence and Youth · doi:10.1080/02673843.2015.1122643 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Self-citation
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Zeiler, M., Philipp, J., Truttmann, S., Waldherr, K., Wagner, G., & Karwautz, A. (2021) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu13114096 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
“Moreover, previous studies have shown that weight-related teasing occurs for overweight and underweight adolescents, which consequently may increase the risk of social isolation and mental health problems for both groups [16,17].”
Background
- Authors
- Jacobs, W., Merianos, A. L., Lee Smith, M., Nabors, L., Fajayan, A., & Valente, T. W.
- Affiliations
- California State University, Stanislaus (US)
- University of Cincinnati (US)
- University of Southern California (US)
- Corresponding author
- Jacobs, Wura
- Venue
- Journal of Adolescent Health
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2020-07
- Volume
- 67
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 108-114
- ISSN
- 1054-139X (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC7311236
- OpenAlex
- W3012006926
- Cited by
- 22
- References
- 36
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 4
- FWCI
- 3.84
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Journal of Adolescent Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Obesity and Health Practices
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
- Keywords
- adolescent weight status, obesity, overweight, underweight, weight stigma, peer nominations, social networks, friendship, romantic relationships, admiration, popularity, social isolation, body mass index
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Body Weight, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Peer Group, Los Angeles, Body Mass Index, Friends, Overweight
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
