R M Puhl1,2, Y Suh2, X Li2. 1. Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT, USA. 2. Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Weight-based bullying is a prevalent problem among youth with overweight and obesity, but remains neglected in existing policy-level strategies to address youth bullying. Parental support is an influential catalyst motivating political will for policy decisions affecting youth, but has received limited research attention. OBJECTIVES: To assess levels of, and predictors of, parental support for school-based policies and state/federal legal measures to address weight-based bullying in 2014 and 2015. METHODS: Identical online questionnaires were completed by two independent national samples of parents in 2014 and 2015 (N = 1804). RESULTS: Parental support for all policy actions was high (at least 81%) and significantly increased from 2014 to 2015 for legal measures that would a) require state anti-bullying laws to add protections against weight-based bullying, and b) enact a federal anti-bullying law that includes weight-based bullying. CONCLUSIONS: These findings can inform policy discourse about remedies for youth bullying, and suggest that parental support for improved legal protections against weight-based bullying is present, consistent, and strong.
BACKGROUND: Weight-based bullying is a prevalent problem among youth with overweight and obesity, but remains neglected in existing policy-level strategies to address youth bullying. Parental support is an influential catalyst motivating political will for policy decisions affecting youth, but has received limited research attention. OBJECTIVES: To assess levels of, and predictors of, parental support for school-based policies and state/federal legal measures to address weight-based bullying in 2014 and 2015. METHODS: Identical online questionnaires were completed by two independent national samples of parents in 2014 and 2015 (N = 1804). RESULTS: Parental support for all policy actions was high (at least 81%) and significantly increased from 2014 to 2015 for legal measures that would a) require state anti-bullying laws to add protections against weight-based bullying, and b) enact a federal anti-bullying law that includes weight-based bullying. CONCLUSIONS: These findings can inform policy discourse about remedies for youth bullying, and suggest that parental support for improved legal protections against weight-based bullying is present, consistent, and strong.
Authors: Denise E Wilfley; Amanda E Staiano; Myra Altman; Jeanne Lindros; Angela Lima; Sandra G Hassink; William H Dietz; Stephen Cook Journal: Obesity (Silver Spring) Date: 2016-12-07 Impact factor: 5.002
Authors: Rebecca M Puhl; Leah M Lessard; Rebecca L Pearl; Allison Grupski; Gary D Foster Journal: Obesity (Silver Spring) Date: 2021-10-05 Impact factor: 5.002
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