United States: New study shows adolescents at significant increased risk of self harm if they feel overweight, healthy weight The findings indicate that real body mass does not necessarily predict suicidal thoughts, but having a negative body image does have more impact, as reported by HealthDay.
Self-Perception vs. Reality: A Major Mental Health Factor
“The perception of weight as overweight, rather than its objective measure in weight, has far less influence on suicidal ideation than its perception of having a lower weight does,” said co-author Philip Baiden, associate professor in social work at the University of Texas at Arlington.
From Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) surveys conducted in 2015 and 2021, the research analysed data from over 39,000 U.S. teenagers, aged 14 to 18. It looked at all aspects of their life, including family lifestyle, relationships, school pressures, childhood adversities, and views from parents and school records.
Perceived Weight Triples Risk of Suicidal Thoughts
The study revealed that adolescents who thought they were overweight were three times more likely to experience suicidal thoughts compared to their peers who did not have this perception.
“Even after considering known risk factors like hopelessness, bullying, cyberbullying, substance use, and demographic variables, we still found a strong link between weight perception and suicidal ideation,” said study co-author Catherine LaBrenz, also an associate professor of social work at the University of Texas at Arlington.
The research further revealed that females were more likely than males to view themselves as overweight, increasing their risk of self-harm.
Importance of Community and Early Intervention
The fact that communities, schools and families can play such a key role in helping prevent mental health crises among adolescents and fostering positive self esteem were also stressed by the researchers, as reported by HealthDay.
“Preventive measures and the early intervention of programs are the way to go to lessen the burden over time of the healthcare system and improve the quality of living of the young,” Baiden said.