The impact of appearance-related teasing by family members.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the prevalence and effects of teasing by family members on body dissatisfaction, eating disturbance, and psychological functioning.


METHODS
Self-report data were collected from 372 middle school girls who were part of a larger study in a Tampa Bay, Florida area middle school (mean age: 12.6 years; 85% Caucasian).


RESULTS
Twenty-three percent of participants reported appearance-related teasing by a parent, and 12% were teased by a parent about being heavy. Nineteen percent of the girls reported appearance-related teasing by fathers, 13% reported appearance-related teasing by mothers, and 29% reported appearance-related teasing by siblings. After controlling for body mass index (BMI) and maternal teasing, paternal teasing was a significant predictor of body dissatisfaction, comparison, thin-ideal internalization, restriction, bulimic behaviors, self-esteem, and depression. After controlling for BMI and paternal teasing, maternal teasing was a significant predictor of depression. After controlling for BMI and maternal teasing, paternal teasing significantly increased the odds of having a sibling who teases. Girls who reported being teased by at least one sibling demonstrated significantly higher levels of body dissatisfaction, comparison, thin-ideal internalization, restriction, bulimic behaviors, depression, and significantly lower levels of self-esteem than those girls who reported they were not teased by their siblings. Frequency of teasing was associated with higher levels of negative outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has implications for treatment and prevention of eating disorders. The results suggest that health care providers should assess appearance-related teasing in their patients' lives to identify girls who may be at risk for body image and eating disturbance and poor psychological functioning.
Keery
Helene
H
Methodist Hospital, Eating Disorders Institute, St. Louis Park, Minnesota 55426, USA. keeryh@parknicollet.com
Boutelle
Kerri
K
van den Berg
Patricia
P
Thompson
J Kevin
JK
D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D015995:Prevalence; D012649:Self Concept; D035781:Siblings; D012919:Social Behavior