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Developmental associations between victimization and body mass index from 3 to 10 years in a population sample

  • Pamela Qualter
    ,
  • Suzanne Murphy
    ,
  • Janice Abbott
    ,
  • Kathryn J. Gardner
    ,
  • Christa Japel
    ,
  • Frank Vitaro
Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Open access

Sustainable Development Goals

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well

Abstract

In the current prospective study, we investigated (1) whether high and low BMI in early childhood puts a child at risk of victimization by their peers, and (2) whether being victimized increases BMI over the short- and long-term, independent of the effect of BMI on victimization. We also examined whether gender moderated these prospective associations. Participants were 1,344 children who were assessed yearly from ages 3 to 10 years as part of the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (QLSCD). BMI predicted annual increases in victimization for girls aged 6 years and over; for boys aged 7 and 8 years of age, higher BMI reduced victimization over the school year. Further, victimization predicted annual increases in BMI for girls after age 6 years. When these short-term effects were held constant, victimization was also shown to have a three and 5-year influence on annual BMI changes for girls from age 3 years. These short- and long-term cross-lagged effects were evident when the effects of family adversity were controlled. The findings support those from previous prospective research showing a link between higher BMI and victimization, but only for girls. Further, being victimized increased the likelihood that girls would put on weight over time, which then increased future victimization. The implications of these prospective findings for interventions are considered.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 109-122

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Aggressive Behavior (Volume 41, Issue 2)

Publication milestones

  • Accepted/In press - 28/11/2014
  • Published - 17/02/2015

Publication status

Published - 17/02/2015

ISSN

0096-140X

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/622566
  • Scopus: 85027948267

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