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School-Focused Interventions for Weight-Based Victimization in Youth
Rebecca L Pearl1, David M Janicke2
1Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, PO Box 100165, Gainesville, FL, 32610-0165, USA. rebecca.pearl@ufl.edu.
Current Obesity Reports
|July 25, 2026
Summary
Existing anti-bullying strategies rarely address weight-based victimization (WBV) in schools. New, evidence-based interventions are needed to support youth experiencing WBV and reduce weight-based disparities.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Child Psychology
- Educational Policy
Background:
- Weight-based victimization (WBV) is prevalent among youth.
- Current anti-bullying laws and policies seldom incorporate weight as a protected characteristic.
- School-based interventions often overlook the specific needs of youth experiencing WBV.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing evidence on interventions for youth weight-based victimization (WBV).
- To identify gaps in current school-based anti-bullying and prevention programs regarding WBV.
- To highlight the need for enhanced interventions addressing WBV in educational settings.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of literature on interventions for youth WBV.
- Analysis of current anti-bullying laws, policies, and school-based programs.
- Evaluation of the effectiveness of existing prevention strategies for WBV.
Main Results:
- Structural-level anti-bullying laws are effective but rarely address weight.
- Weight is not commonly included in school anti-bullying interventions, even those targeting bias.
- School-based eating disorder programs do not prevent or reduce WBV; specific WBV interventions lack rigorous testing.
Conclusions:
- Evidence-based interventions to support youth experiencing WBV are critically needed.
- Anti-bullying laws, policies, and school interventions require greater attention to WBV.
- Developing and integrating weight-inclusive strategies is essential to reduce weight-based disparities in youth victimization.
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