Gender differences in the relation between interpersonal stress and momentary shape and weight concerns in youth with...

The purpose of this study was to examine relations between interpersonal stress and momentary shape and weight concerns among pre-adolescent and early adolescent boys and girls with overweight/obesity, using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). We also aimed to determine whether interpersonal stress was differentially related to shape/weight concerns in boys versus girls. Forty youth, ages 8-14 years (53% female), with overweight or obesity reported their state-level shape/weight concerns and negative affect and their recent interpersonal stress (i.e., stress experienced since the last EMA assessment) multiple times a day, for two weeks. Results indicated that interpersonal stress predicted shape/weight concerns in girls but was not related to shape/weight concerns in boys. At the between-person level, higher overall feelings of loneliness and social rejection and a higher overall desire for more friends predicted higher average levels of shape/weight concerns. At the within-person level, higher momentary ratings of loneliness, social rejection, and desire for more friends predicted lower shape/weight concerns. These data suggest that the tendency to experience interpersonal stress may be more detrimental to body satisfaction for girls with overweight/obesity than for boys with overweight/obesity. Interventions that focus on reducing interpersonal stress may be effective in ameliorating shape/weight concerns in girls with overweight/obesity.