The experience of weight-based bullying in young adult bariatric patients has not yet been examined. Thirteen young adults (age, 18–24) that were seeking or had undergone bariatric surgery participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews. A thematic analysis informed by grounded theory principles was conducted. Analysis revealed the following three major themes: (1) being the biggest kid, (2) coping through avoidance, and (3) compromised peer and intimate relationships. Victims of weight-based bullying often avoid and withdraw socially in response to persistent verbal abuse. The decision to pursue bariatric surgery at a relatively young age adds another dimension of difficulty when navigating peer relationships.
AdamowiczJLSalwenJKHymowitzGF. (2015) Predictors of suicidality in bariatric surgery candidates. Journal of Health Psychology21(9): 1992–1998.
2.
ArterburnDECourcoulasAP (2014) Bariatric surgery for obesity and metabolic conditions in adults. British Medical Journal349: g3961.
3.
BoyesADFletcherJGOLatnerJD (2007) Male and female body image and dieting in the context of intimate relationships. Journal of Family Psychology21(4): 764–768.
4.
BraunVClarkeV (2006) Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology3: 77–101.
5.
BrowneNT (2012) Weight bias, stigmatization, and bullying of obese youth. Bariatric Nursing and Surgical Patient Care7: 107–115.
6.
CorbinCStraussA (2015) Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory (4th edn). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
7.
CraigieAMLakeAAKellySA. (2011) Tracking of obesity-related behaviors from childhood to adulthood: A systematic review. Maturitas70: 266–284.
8.
DuCoinCMoonRCMulatreM. (2015) Safety and effectiveness of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in patients between the ages of 17 and 19. Obesity Surgery25(3): 464–469.
9.
FalknerNHNeumark-SztainerDStoryM. (2001) Social, educational, and psychological correlates of weight status in adolescents. Obesity Research9(1): 32–42.
10.
FlegalKMCarrollMDKitBK. (2012) Prevalence of obesity and trends in the distribution of body mass index among US adults. Journal of the American Medical Association307(5): 491–497.
11.
FoxCLFarrowCV (2009) Global and physical self-esteem and body dissatisfaction as mediators of the relationship between weight status and being a victim of bullying. Journal of Adolescence32(5): 1287–1301.
GivenLM (ed.) (2008) The SAGE Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods. California, CA: SAGE.
14.
GriffithsLJPageAS (2008) The impact of weight-related victimization on peer relationships: The female adolescent perspective. Obesity 16(Suppl. 2): S39–S45.
15.
GriloCMMashebRMBrodyM. (2005) Binge eating and self-esteem predict body image dissatisfaction among obese men and women seeking bariatric surgery. International Journal of Eating Disorders37: 347–351.
16.
HanJCLawlorDAKimmSYS (2010) Childhood obesity—2010: Progress and challenges. Lancet375(9727): 1737–1748.
17.
HeneghanHMHeinbergLWindoverA. (2012) Weighing the evidence for an association between obesity and suicide risk. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases8(1): 98–107.
18.
HillstromKAGravesJK (2015) A review of depression and quality of life outcomes in adolescents post bariatric surgery. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing28(1): 50–59.
19.
IdsoeTDyregrovAIdsoeEC (2012) Bullying and PTSD symptoms. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology40(6): 901–911.
20.
IngeTHZellerMHJenkinsTM. (2014) Perioperative outcomes of adolescents undergoing bariatric surgery: The Teen-Longitudinal Assessment of bariatric surgery (Teen-LABS) study. Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics168(1): 47–53.
21.
KellyASBarlowSERaoG. (2013) Severe obesity in children and adolescents: Identification, associated health risks, and treatment approaches: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation128(15): 1689–1712.
22.
KimJMutyalaBAgiovlasitisS. (2011) Health behaviors and obesity among US children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder by gender and medication use. Preventive Medicine52(3–4): 218–222.
23.
KulickDHarkLDeenD (2010) The bariatric surgery patient: A growing role for registered dietitians. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics110(4): 593–559.
24.
LincolnYSGubaEG (1985) Naturalistic Inquiry. Newbury Park, CA: SAGE, pp. 357–381.
25.
LyonsKMeisnerBASockalingamS. (2014) Body image after bariatric surgery: A qualitative study. Bariatric Surgical Practice and Patient Care9(1): 41–49.
26.
MitchellJESelzerFKalarchianMA. (2012) Psychopathology before surgery in the longitudinal assessment of bariatric surgery-3 (LABS-3) psychosocial study. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases8(5): 533–541.
27.
MurtaghJDixeyRRudolfM (2006) A qualitative investigation into the levers and barriers to weight loss in children: Opinions of obese children. Archives of Diseases in Childhood91(11): 920–923.
28.
NgMFlemingTRobinsonM. (2014) Global, regional, and national prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adults during 1980–2013: A systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2013. Lancet6736(14): 1–16.
29.
PadwalRChangHJKlarenbachS. (2012) Characteristics of the population eligible for and receiving publicly funded bariatric surgery in Canada. International Journal for Equity in Health11(1): 54–62.
30.
PearlRLPuhlRMDovidioJF (2015) Differential effects of weight bias experiences and internalization on exercise among women with overweight and obesity. Journal of Health Psychology20(12): 1626–1632.
31.
PuhlRMBrownellKD (2003) Ways of coping with obesity stigma: Review and conceptual analysis. Eating Behaviors4(1): 53–78.
32.
PuhlRMLuedickeJ (2012) Weight-based victimization among adolescents in the school setting: Emotional reactions and coping behaviors. Journal of Youth and Adolescence41(1): 27–40.
33.
PuhlRMLuedickeJHeuerC (2011) Weight-based victimization toward overweight adolescents: Observations and reactions of peers. Journal of School Health81(11): 696–703.
34.
PuhlRMPetersonJLLuedickeJ (2012) Weight based victimization: Bullying experiences of weight loss treatment-seeking youth. Pediatrics131(1):e1–e9.
35.
RennieDLPhillipsJRQuartaroGK (1988) Grounded theory: A promising approach to conceptualization in psychology?Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne29(2): 139–150.
36.
RosenbergerPHHendersonKEBellRL. (2007) Associations of weight-based teasing history and current eating disorder features and psychological functioning in bariatric surgery patients. Obesity Surgery17(4): 470–477.
37.
RosenthalLEarnshawVACarroll-ScottA. (2015) Weight-and race-based bullying: Health associations among urban adolescents. Journal of Health Psychology20(4): 401–412.
38.
SarwerDBFabricatoreANEisenbergMH. (2008) Self-reported stigmatization among candidates for bariatric surgery. Obesity16(Suppl. 2): S75–S79.
39.
SarwerDBWaddenTAMooreRH. (2010) Changes in quality of life and body image following gastric bypass surgery. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases6(6): 608–614.
40.
SmithESweetingHWrightC (2013) “Do I care?” Young adults’ recalled experiences of early adolescent overweight and obesity: A qualitative study. International Journal of Obesity37(2): 303–308.
41.
StraussRSPollackHA (2003) Social marginalization of overweight children. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine157(8): 746–752.
42.
Vander WalJSMitchellER (2011) Psychological complications of pediatric obesity. Pediatric Clinics of North America58(6): 1393–1401.
43.
VartanianLRSilversteinKM (2013) Obesity as a status cue: Perceived social status and the stereotypes of obese individuals. Journal of Applied Social Psychology43(Suppl. 2): 319–328.
44.
WertheimerM (1972) Fundamental Issues in Psychology. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
45.
WilliamsALMertenMJ (2013) Romantic relationships among women experiencing obesity: Self-perception and weight as barriers to intimacy. Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal41(3): 284–298.
46.
World Health Organization (1986) Young People’s Health—A Challenge for Society: Report of a WHO Study Group on Young People and Health for All by the Year 2000. Geneva: WHO.
47.
WottCBCarelsRA (2010) Overt weight stigma, psychological distress and weight loss treatment outcomes. Journal of Health Psychology15(4): 608–614.
