Impact of Body Weight Perceptions and Electronic Bullying on Suicide‐Related Risk Behaviors among Youth: Results from Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, 2015

Abstract

BACKGROUND: For youth between the ages of 10 and 24, suicide is the third leading cause of death, and results in approximately 4600 lives lost each year. Body weight status and bullying is associated with increase mental health disorders. METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, consisting of 15,506 students in grades 9-12. Logistic regression analysis was performed using STATA13 to estimate the independent association of perceived weight status and bullying experienced at school and electronically to suicidal behaviors measured as-considered suicide, made a suicide plan, attempted suicide, and injurious suicide attempt, after controlling for socio-demographics. RESULTS: Considered suicide and attempted suicide were significantly associated with very overweight, slightly overweight, very underweight, and slightly underweight weight perceptions. Made suicide plan was significantly associated with slightly and very overweight perceptions. Injurious suicide attempt was significantly associated with very underweight or very overweight perceptions. Bullying, at school and electronically was significantly associated with all suicidal behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Examination of not just body weight status but body weight perceptions held by adolescent students, and the experience of not just in-person bullying but also electronic bullying on youth suicidal behaviors is crucial.

Body Dissatisfaction and Health Risk Behaviors Among Middle School Girls

“…Suicidal thoughts were also more likely among participants trying to lose weight than those who were not trying to lose weight. This study supports and adds to the previous research that has documented consistent suicidality themes for older adolescents with body dissatisfaction and weight loss intentions [52][53][54] by demonstrating the same relationship among younger adolescents. Including prevention programming in schools that addresses the influence of media on the body has been documented to promote body satisfaction, self-esteem, and increase awareness of unrealistic body types due to photoshop.…”

“…52 Another study using national YRBS high school data found that considering or attempting suicide was associated with perceiving oneself to be very/slightly over or underweight, while making a suicide plan was associated with perceiving oneself to be slightly/very overweight and injuring oneself while attempting suicide was associated with perceiving oneself to be very over or underweight. 53 A third study also using national YRBS high school data found that body image and weight control behaviors, among other factors, were significant predictors of suicidal behaviors. 54 Although there are fewer studies about suicidality and body dissatisfaction for middle schoolers, 1 study using the YRBS for Kentucky middle school students found that those with both disordered eating behaviors and suicidality were more likely to engage in a number of risk behaviors including cigarette, alcohol, and prescription drug use.…”

Suicide attempts among students of higher education, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, South Africa

“… 35 The pressure from trying to actualise this idealised body weight by the adolescents and young people increased their vulnerability to low self-esteem, suicidal behaviour and other mental illness. 35 , 36 College staff screening for abnormal body weight perception and other risk factors of suicide attempts can be utilised to identify students that need further assessment and intervention.…”

Association Between Concussions and Suicidality in High School Students in the United States

“…Past researchers using data from the YRBS have reported that suicidality in high school students is associated with female sex ( 2 , 4 ), sexual minority status ( 47 – 49 ), adverse childhood experiences ( 50 , 51 ), physical teen dating violence ( 52 ), forced sexual intercourse ( 18 , 53 ), body weight perceptions [both overweight ( 54 , 55 ) and underweight ( 55 )], illicit drug use ( 13 , 18 ), prescription opioid misuse ( 56 – 58 ) [especially in girls ( 59 )], alcohol use ( 15 , 18 , 60 , 61 ), marijuana use ( 13 , 15 , 62 ), bullying ( 18 , 55 , 63 , 64 ) and cyberbullying ( 18 , 55 , 63 – 65 ), frequent physical fighting ( 66 ), excessive television/video game/internet use ( 67 , 68 ), insufficient sleep ( 69 ), and even soft drink consumption ( 70 ). With so many variables being associated with suicidality in youth—especially given the very large national sample allowing the identification of statistically significant findings with small effect sizes—it is not particularly surprising that concussion was also associated in the present study, in univariate analyses, and in prior studies using the 2013 ( 45 ) and 2017 YRBS ( 41 – 43 , 46 ).…”