Adolescent weight status, perceived closeness to others, and past year suicide consideration and attempts

PurposeThe present research leveraged a nationally representative dataset to examine between-group differences in adolescent suicide consideration and attempts by weight status and perceived closeness to others.FindingsAdolescents with overweight and obesity were more likely to report past year suicide consideration (1.54x and 1.43x as likely) and attempts (1.74x and 1.59x as likely) compared to adolescents with healthy weight. A significantly smaller proportion of adolescents with obesity endorsed closeness to others at school compared to adolescents with healthy weight. Adolescents who felt close to others were less likely to report either suicidal ideation or attempts, regardless of weight status. Compared to the healthy weight group, significantly higher proportions of adolescents with overweight or obesity endorsed attempting suicide, both among adolescents who felt close to others, X²(2) = 14.76, p = .001, n = 4773, and those who did not, X²(2) = 18.58, p < .001, n = 2859.ConclusionsAdolescents with overweight and obesity were more likely to consider and attempt suicide relative to those with healthy weight, regardless of perceived closeness to others. Perceived closeness was associated with lower likelihood of suicide consideration and attempts among all weight groups. Further investigation may clarify the prospective utility of social closeness for adolescent suicide risk reduction, especially among those with overweight/obesity.