The Nature, Occurring Contexts, and Psychological Implications of Weight-Related Teasing in Urban Physical Education Programs

This study examined the nature, occurring contexts, and psychological implications of weight-related teasing in urban physical education programs. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 47 participants from a large urban school district. Data were analyzed using inductive analysis and constant comparisons. Most overweight adolescents experienced many different types of teasing in physical education. Victims of teasing felt hurt and experienced uncomfortable feelings due to social comparisons. Overweight students who were not teased reported a variety of reasons. Teachers lacked awareness of and strategies to handle teasing of overweight students. There is a need to implement preventive policies and rules to eliminate weight-related teasing and create inclusive physical education environments.

Key words:

• adolescents
• obesity
• teasing

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Weidong Li

Please address all correspondence concerning this article to Weidong Li, The Ohio State University, College of Education & Human Ecology, School of Physical Activity and Educational Services, Sport and Exercise Education, PAES Building A270, 305 West 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH. 43210-1224