Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Associations between bullying and risk for eating disorders in adolescents

Asociaciones entre el acoso escolar y el riesgo de trastornos alimentarios en adolescentes

ABSTRACT

Objectives:

to analyze the associations between bullying participation profiles (victims, bullies, and bully-victims) and the risk for eating disorders in adolescents.

Methods:

a cross-sectional study was conducted with 491 students, aged 10 to 18 years. Data were collected through the application of the Peer Victimization and Aggression Scale and the Eating Attitudes Test, and were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Spearman correlation.

Results:

the risk for eating disorders was higher for the victim profile, both for boys and girls. For both sexes, physical victimization, verbal victimization, and relational victimization were significantly associated with variables related to the risk for eating disorders. For boys, there were also significant associations related to aggression.

Conclusions:

student victims, especially boys, are more vulnerable to the consequences of bullying in relation to the risk for eating disorders.

Descriptors:
Bullying; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Adolescent; Risk; Association

RESUMEN

Objetivos:

analizar las asociaciones entre los perfiles de participación en el acoso escolar (víctimas, agresores y víctimas-agresores) y el riesgo de trastornos alimentarios en adolescentes.

Métodos:

estudio transversal con 491 estudiantes de 10 a 18 años. Los datos se recopilaron mediante la aplicación de la Escala de Victimización y Agresión entre Pares y el Test de Actitudes Alimentarias, y se analizaron estadísticamente mediante análisis de varianza (ANOVA) y correlación de Spearman.

Resultados:

el riesgo de trastornos alimentarios fue mayor en el perfil de víctima, tanto en niños como en niñas. Tanto para ambos sexos, la victimización física, la victimización verbal y la victimización relacional se asociaron significativamente con variables relacionadas con el riesgo de trastornos alimentarios. En el caso de los niños, también se observaron asociaciones significativas relacionadas con la agresión.

Conclusiones:

los estudiantes que son víctimas, especialmente los niños, son más vulnerables a las consecuencias del acoso escolar en relación con el riesgo de trastornos alimentarios.

Descriptores:
Acoso Escolar; Trastornos de Alimentación y de la Ingestión de Alimentos; Adolescente; Riesgo; Asociación

RESUMO

Objetivos:

analisar as associações entre o perfil de participação no bullying (vítimas, agressores e vítimas-agressoras) e o risco de transtornos alimentares em adolescentes.

Métodos:

estudo transversal realizado com 491 estudantes, com idades entre 10 e 18 anos. Os dados foram coletados por meio da aplicação da Escala de Vitimização e Agressão entre Pares e do Eating Attitudes Test, e foram analisados estatisticamente por meio de análises de variância (ANOVA) e correlação de Spearman.

Resultados:

o risco de transtornos alimentares foi maior para o perfil de vítima, tanto para meninos quanto para meninas. Para ambos os sexos, a vitimização física, a vitimização verbal e a vitimização relacional associaram-se significativamente às variáveis de risco de transtornos alimentares. Para os meninos, também houve associações significativas relacionadas à agressão.

Conclusões:

os estudantes vítimas, especialmente os meninos, são mais vulneráveis às consequências do bullying em relação ao risco de transtornos alimentares.

Descritores:
Bullying; Transtornos da Alimentação e da Ingestão de Alimentos; Adolescente; Risco; Associação

INTRODUCTION

Bullying occurs when one or more individuals intentionally and repeatedly harm others in interactions characterized by a power imbalance(11 Borgen NT, Olweus D, Kirkebøen LJ, Breivik K, Solberg ME, Frønes I, et al. The potential of anti-bullying efforts to prevent academic failure and youth crime: a case using the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP). Prev Sci. 2021;22:1147-58. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-021-01254-3
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-021-01254...
). It is a form of peer violence that can happen in various settings, but is particularly prevalent in schools(22 Zequinão MA, Medeiros P, Silva JL, Pereira BO, Cardosos FL. Sociometric status of participants involved in school bullying. Paidéia (Ribeirão Preto). 2020;30:e3011. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-4327e3011
https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-4327e3011...
). In school environments, students can engage in aggressive behavior (bullies), become targets of such behavior (victims), or both perpetrate and experience violence simultaneously (bully-victims)(33 Silva JL, Komatsu AV, Zequinão MA, Pereira B, Wang GY, Silva MAI. Bullying, social skills, peer acceptance, and friendship among students in school transition. Estud Psicol. 2019;36:e180060. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0275201936e180060
https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0275201936e...
). The aggression can be physical (hitting, pushing, kicking, etc.), verbal (name-calling, mocking, laughing, for example), or relational (threatening, socially isolating a peer, among others)(44 Alencastro LCS, Silva JL, Komatsu AV, Bernardino FBS, Mello FCM, Silva MAI. Theater of the Oppressed and bullying: nursing performance in school adolescent health. Rev Bras Enferm. 2020;73(1):1-7. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0910
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0...
).

The National School Health Survey (PeNSE) identified a prevalence rate of 28% for involvement in bullying situations in a nationally representative sample of ninth-grade students in Brazil(55 Malta DC, Mello FCM, Prado RR, Sá ACMGND, Marinho F, Pinto IV, et al. Prevalência de bullying e fatores associados em escolares brasileiros, 2015. Ciênc Saúde Colet. 2019;24(4):1359-68. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232018244.15492017
https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232018244...
). Due to its high prevalence and the negative consequences, it has on academic performance and the psychosocial development of children and adolescents, bullying is considered a public health issue(66 Manuel D, Adams S, Mpilo M, Savahl S. Prevalence of bullying victimisation among primary school children in South Africa: a population-based study. BMC Res Notes. 2021;14(342):1-6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-021-05747-w
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-021-05747...
-77 Marcolino EM, Calvacanti AL, Padilha WWN, Miranda FAN, Clementino FS. Bullying: prevalence and factors associated with vitimization and aggression in the school quotidian. Texto Contexto Enferm. 2018;27(1):e5500016. https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072018005500016
https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072018005...
). Some of its consequences include anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, poor academic achievement, phobias, and suicide(88 Menestrel L. Preventing bullying: consequences, prevention, and intervention. J Youth Dev. 2020;15(3):8-26. https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2020.945
https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2020.945...
).

Bullying can also pose a risk for eating disorders(99 Lie SØ, Bulik CM, Andreassen OA, Rø Ø, Bang L. The association between bullying and eating disorders: a case-control study. Int J Eat Disord. 2021;54(8):1405-14. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23522
https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23522...
), which are psychiatric conditions characterized by disruptions in eating behavior. The most extensively studied eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder(1010 American Psychiatric Association (APA). Manual diagnóstico e estatístico de transtornos mentais: DSM-5. 5th ed. Porto Alegre: Artmed; 2014.). These disorders occur more frequently in women, especially in adolescents and young adults. Anorexia nervosa involves an excessive fear of gaining weight, accompanied by a severe distortion of body image. Bulimia nervosa entails episodes of binge eating followed by feelings of guilt, leading to compensatory behaviors such as induced vomiting. Binge-eating disorder occurs when a person consumes large quantities of food within a short period, typically two hours, even when not hungry(1111 Bloc LG, Nazareth ACP, Melo AKS, Moreira V. Transtorno de compulsão alimentar: revisão sistemática da literatura. Rev Psicol Saúde. 2019; 11(1):3-17. https://doi.org/10.20435/pssa.v11i1.617
https://doi.org/10.20435/pssa.v11i1.617...
).

Eating disorders can be caused and perpetuated by psychological, metabolic, biological, familial, school-related, or sociocultural factors(1212 Oliveira APG, Fonseca IR, Almada MORV, Acosta RJT, Silva MM, Pereira KB, et al. Transtornos alimentares, imagem corporal e influência da mídia em universitárias. Rev enferm UFPE. 2020;14:e245234. https://doi.org/10.5205/1981-8963.2020.245234
https://doi.org/10.5205/1981-8963.2020.2...
). Specifically, regarding school factors, bullying related to physical appearance can trigger issues related to eating and concerns about weight control(1313 Quintero-Jurado J, Moratto-Vásquez N, Caicedo-Velasquez B, Cárdenas-Zuluaga N, Espelage DL. Association between school bullying, suicidal ideation, and eating disorders among school-aged children from Antioquia, Colombia. Trends Psychol. 2021;30:58-72. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43076-021-00101-2
https://doi.org/10.1007/s43076-021-00101...
). However, there is evidence that not only appearance-related aggression influences the desire to modify body size and shape, but that any form of bullying is associated with eating problems(1414 Lee KS, Vaillancourt T. Longitudinal associations among bullying by peers, disordered eating behavior, and symptoms of depression during adolescence. JAMA Psychiatry. 2018;75(6):605-12. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2018.0284
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2...
). For instance, a study found that adolescents aged 11 to 16 who experienced physical, relational, or cyberbullying expressed concerns about weight loss, irrespective of their actual weight(1515 Lee K, Guy A, Dale J, Wolke D. Does psychological functioning mediate the relationship between bullying involvement and weight loss preoccupation in adolescents? a two-stage cross-sectional study. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2017;14(1):1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-017-0491-1
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-017-0491-...
).

As individuals involved in bullying can experience eating-related issues, their physical and mental health can be compromised for extended periods, as most adolescents with eating disorders continue to exhibit symptoms even ten years later(1616 Pearson CM, Miller J, Ackard DM, Loth KA, Wall MM, Haynos AF et al. Stability and change in patterns of eating disorder symptoms from adolescence to young adulthood. Int J Eat Disord. 2017;50(7):748-57. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22692
https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22692...
). Considering that eating disorders often emerge during adolescence, a period when bullying is also more prevalent, it is important to conduct studies involving adolescents to gather knowledge that can inform policies and programs aimed at preventing or reducing school bullying. In this regard, although there are studies linking bullying to symptoms of eating disorders, few explore the differences among participant profiles to determine whether the associations are stronger for victims, bullies, or bully-victims(1717 Copeland WE, Bulik CM, Zucker N, Wolke D, Lereya ST, Costello EJ. Does childhood bullying predict eating disorder symptoms? a prospective, longitudinal analysis. Int J Eat Disord. 2015;48(8):1141-49. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22459
https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22459...
).

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the associations between the profiles of bullying participation (victims, bullies, and bully-victims) and the risk of eating disorders in adolescents.

METHODS

Ethical aspects

Data collection began after obtaining approval from the Research Ethics Committee. The research was authorized by the school administration of a public school, and parental/guardian authorization was obtained through the signing of an Informed Consent Form (ICF). The adolescents also signed an Assent Form. Throughout the study, the recommendations of Resolution 466/2012 of the National Health Council (CNS) were followed.

Study design, period, and location

This is an exploratory, analytical, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, adhering to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) criteria(1818 Von Elm E, Altman DG, Egger M, Pocock SJ, Vandenbroucke JP, STROBE Initiative. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies. J Clin Epidemiol. 2008;61(4):344-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2007.11.008
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2007....
). Data were collected in September 2019 at a public school in the city of Passos, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Population and inclusion/exclusion criteria

All 1,600 enrolled students from the 6th grade of Middle School to the 3rd year of High School were invited to participate in the research, and 491 accepted. The inclusion criteria were: regular attendance, being present on the day of the questionnaire administration, age between 10 and 19 years (adolescence age range defined by the World Health Organization)(1919 Spezzia, S. O papel da odontohebiatria na saúde bucal dos adolescentes. Rev Fac Cienc Med (Sorocaba). 2021;22(1):41-42. https://doi.org/10.23925/1984-4840.2020v22i1a10
https://doi.org/10.23925/1984-4840.2020v...
), and parental authorization for participants under 18 years old.

Study protocol

The selection of the school for the research was based on non-probabilistic sampling using accessibility. All invited students received information about the research, and for those who expressed interest in participating, ethical requirements were followed to ensure autonomy in participation and confidentiality of the provided information.

The profiles of bullying participation (victims, bully-victims, and bullies), as well as the non-involved profile, along with the quantity and type of aggression perpetrated or experienced by the students (physical, verbal, or relational), were obtained through the application of the Peer Victimization and Aggression Scale - EVAP(2020 Cunha JM, Weber LND, Steiner Neto P. Escala de Vitimização e Agressão entre Pares (EVAP). In: Weber LND, Dessen MA, (Eds.). Pesquisando a família: instrumentos para coleta e análise de dados. Curitiba: Juruá; 2009. p. 103-14.). The risk of eating disorders was measured using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26)(2121 Bigheti F, Santos CB, Santos JE, Ribeiro RPP. Tradução e avaliação do Eating Attitudes Test em adolescentes do sexo feminino de Ribeirão Preto. J Bras Psiquiatr [Internet]. 2004[cited 2022 Jan 5];53(6):339-46. Available from: https://pesquisa.bvsalud.org/portal/resource/pt/lil-403090
https://pesquisa.bvsalud.org/portal/reso...
), which provided scores used to calculate group means for the total test and subscales: diet, bulimia and food preoccupation, and oral self-control.

Both instruments (EVAP and EAT-26) were administered collectively in the school during class hours. Prior to administration, researchers explained to the students how to complete the instruments, and throughout the process, they were available to clarify any doubts. Data collection in each classroom took an average of 20 minutes.

Data analysis and statistics

The three profiles of bullying participation (victim, bully-victim, and bully) and the non-involved profile were determined through cluster analysis using the Ward hierarchical method(2222 Seidel EJ, Moreira Júnior FJ, Ansuj AP, Noal MRC. Comparação entre o Método Ward e o Método k-médias no agrupamento de produtores de leite. Ciênc Nat. 2008;30(1):7-15. https://doi.org/10.5902/2179460X9737
https://doi.org/10.5902/2179460X9737...
), which constructs clusters aiming for minimum internal variance. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to identify differences in the dependent variables based on the profiles of bullying participation, followed by Bonferroni post-test to identify the groups where statistical differences were found. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the relationships between the profiles and the risk variable for eating disorders. All analyses were performed using R 4.1.2 software, with a significance level of 5% (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

The participants’ age (N=491) ranged from 10 to 18 years, with a mean of 14.3 years (SD=1.7 years). Regarding gender, 276 (56.2%) were female and 215 (43.8%) were male. The involvement in bullying situations was 61.1% (n=300), divided into victim-bullies (29.3%, n=144), bullies (18.1%, n=89), and victims (13.7%, n=67).

The results regarding the risk for eating disorders are presented in Table 1.

Table 1
Distribution of risk for eating disorders according to gender and bullying participation profile, Passos, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2019

A total of 126 participants, 25.7% of the total sample, were at risk for developing an eating disorder. The victim group had the highest percentage of risk (41.8%), while the non-involved group had the lowest percentage (16.8%), with a significant difference (p<0.001). In terms of gender, in all bullying participation profiles, girls had a higher proportion of risk for eating disorders compared to boys, as shown in Table 1.

Table 2 presents the comparisons by gender between non-involved students and involved students (victim, victim-bully, and bully) regarding the total EAT score and the subscales of risk for eating disorders.

Table 2
Comparison by gender between bullying-involved and non-involved students regarding total Eating Attitudes Test and subscales of risk for eating disorders, Passos, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2019

In Table 2, the analysis of variance revealed significant differences in the mean EAT scores for boys (F=7.6, p<0.001) and girls (F=4.3, p=0.005). Bonferroni post-tests indicated that the significant difference for boys occurred between the victim group (with a higher mean) and the non-involved groups (p<0.001), victim-bullies (p=0.002), and bullies (p=0.015). For girls, there was a significant difference only between the victim group and the non-involved group (p=0.014).

Regarding the Diet subscale, there was a significant difference in the mean scores for boys (F=3.8, p=0.011), but only between victims (with a higher mean) and non-involved students (p=0.006). In the Oral Self-Control subscale, only boys’ groups showed significant differences (F=3.5, p=0.010). The differences were found between victim boys (with a higher mean) and non-involved students (p=0.003) and victim-bullies (p=0.03). Significant differences were identified in the Bulimia and Food Preoccupation subscales for boys (F=9.6, p<0.001) and girls (F=4.1, p=0.007). For boys, the significant differences occurred between the victim group (with a higher mean) and the non-involved groups (p<0.001), victim-bullies (p<0.001), and bullies (p=0.006). The only difference found for girls was between the victim group and the non-involved group (p=0.014) (Table 2).

Table 3 presents the correlations between types of victimization and aggression and the variables related to the risk for eating disorders.

Table 3
Correlations between variables of risk for eating disorders and types of aggression and victimization, Passos, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2019

In Table 3, the Spearman correlation coefficient indicated that, for boys, physical victimization, verbal victimization, and relational victimization were significantly correlated with all variables related to eating disorders. Physical aggression showed a significant correlation with all subscale variables of EAT-26 (eating disorder), while verbal aggression correlated significantly only with bulimia and food preoccupation. Relational aggression correlated with total EAT, diet, bulimia, and food preoccupation. In boys, the correlations were positive, indicating that the higher the level of victimization or aggression, the higher the level of eating disorders, and vice versa.

In girls, significant correlations occurred in victimization and were also positive. All three types of victimization were significantly correlated with total EAT and bulimia and food preoccupation. Additionally, in girls, physical victimization and verbal victimization showed significant correlations with diet. Verbal victimization and relational victimization were significantly correlated with oral self-control. No significant correlations were found in girls for any of the variables related to aggression and the analyzed dimensions of eating disorders.

DISCUSSION

Our study indicates that bullying victims are at a higher risk of developing eating disorders. Similar results have been found in studies conducted in Colombia(2323 Giraldo NIB, Castrillón JJC, Cañón SC, Acevedo JAG, Echeverri LM, Pacheco SS, et al. Frecuencia y factores asociados al acoso escolar en colegios de Chinchiná (Colombia), 2014. Psicol Caribe [Internet]. 2016[cited 2022 Jan 5];33(2):312-32. Available from: http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0123-417X2016000300312&lng=es&nrm=iso&tlng=es
http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?scri...
), Chile(2424 Carmona-Torres JA, Cangas AJ, Langer AI, Aguilar-Parra JM, Gallego J. Acoso escolar y su relación con el consumo de drogas y trastornos alimentarios: comparación entre adolescentes de Chile y España. Psicol Conductual [Internet]. 2015[cited 2022 Jan 5];23(3):507-27. Available from: https://pesquisa.bvsalud.org/portal/resource/pt/ibc-151203
https://pesquisa.bvsalud.org/portal/reso...
), Spain(2424 Carmona-Torres JA, Cangas AJ, Langer AI, Aguilar-Parra JM, Gallego J. Acoso escolar y su relación con el consumo de drogas y trastornos alimentarios: comparación entre adolescentes de Chile y España. Psicol Conductual [Internet]. 2015[cited 2022 Jan 5];23(3):507-27. Available from: https://pesquisa.bvsalud.org/portal/resource/pt/ibc-151203
https://pesquisa.bvsalud.org/portal/reso...
), and the United States(1717 Copeland WE, Bulik CM, Zucker N, Wolke D, Lereya ST, Costello EJ. Does childhood bullying predict eating disorder symptoms? a prospective, longitudinal analysis. Int J Eat Disord. 2015;48(8):1141-49. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22459
https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22459...
). One possible explanation is that victims are often targeted by aggressors because they are perceived as overweight or not fitting societal beauty standards. Many instances of bullying occur due to a lack of understanding and intolerance towards differences, particularly regarding body appearance(2525 Russo LX. Associação entre vitimização por bullying e índice de massa corporal em escolares. Cad Saude Publica. 2020;36(10):e00182819. https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00182819
https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X0018281...
). This may be influenced by media and societal standards that promote a thin body ideal for girls and a muscular definition for boys(2626 Santos MA, Oliveira VH, Peres RS, Risk EM, Leonidas C, Oliveira-Cardoso EA. Corpo, saúde e sociedade de consumo: a construção social do corpo saudável. Saude Soc. 2019;28(3):239-52. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-12902019170035
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-1290201917...
).

In terms of gender, both girls and boys who are victims showed a significant risk for eating disorders. This finding, in addition to confirming the hypothesis that aggression occurs due to the weight or body appearance of the victims(2626 Santos MA, Oliveira VH, Peres RS, Risk EM, Leonidas C, Oliveira-Cardoso EA. Corpo, saúde e sociedade de consumo: a construção social do corpo saudável. Saude Soc. 2019;28(3):239-52. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-12902019170035
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-1290201917...
), may be related to the psychological effects of victimization. Victims may develop negative body perceptions and, as a result, seek ways to alter their appearance(1717 Copeland WE, Bulik CM, Zucker N, Wolke D, Lereya ST, Costello EJ. Does childhood bullying predict eating disorder symptoms? a prospective, longitudinal analysis. Int J Eat Disord. 2015;48(8):1141-49. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22459
https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22459...
), such as food preoccupation, dieting, or nutritional supplementation, adopting compensatory behaviors like vomiting and laxative use, which make them more vulnerable to eating disorders.

The results regarding victims are consistent with previous studies that also did not find gender differences(1515 Lee K, Guy A, Dale J, Wolke D. Does psychological functioning mediate the relationship between bullying involvement and weight loss preoccupation in adolescents? a two-stage cross-sectional study. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2017;14(1):1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-017-0491-1
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-017-0491-...
,1717 Copeland WE, Bulik CM, Zucker N, Wolke D, Lereya ST, Costello EJ. Does childhood bullying predict eating disorder symptoms? a prospective, longitudinal analysis. Int J Eat Disord. 2015;48(8):1141-49. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22459
https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22459...
,2727 Borges F, Barreto MS, Reis P, Vieira CS, Marcon SS. Percepções e atitudes de crianças que vivenciam a obesidade. Rev Rene. 2018;19(1):32-61. https://doi.org/10.15253/2175-6783.2018193261
https://doi.org/10.15253/2175-6783.20181...
). However, a different finding in this study was that male aggressors also showed a risk for eating disorders, contradicting the expectation that they would be less affected by the negative consequences of the violence they perpetrate. A study conducted in Colombia supported these results, identifying significant associations between the aggressor role and eating disorders(2323 Giraldo NIB, Castrillón JJC, Cañón SC, Acevedo JAG, Echeverri LM, Pacheco SS, et al. Frecuencia y factores asociados al acoso escolar en colegios de Chinchiná (Colombia), 2014. Psicol Caribe [Internet]. 2016[cited 2022 Jan 5];33(2):312-32. Available from: http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0123-417X2016000300312&lng=es&nrm=iso&tlng=es
http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?scri...
). Perhaps guilt and remorse for engaging in aggression against their peers lead aggressors to develop disordered eating behaviors as a way to cope with these ambivalent feelings, or they may have a heightened concern about their physical characteristics to avoid receiving back the aggression they inflict on the victims(2828 Oliveira MR, Machado JSA. O insustentável peso da autoimagem: (re)apresentações na sociedade do espetáculo. Ciênc Saúde Colet. 2021;26(7):2663-72. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232021267.08782021
https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232021267...
). These results indicate that aggressors also need care to prevent eating disorders from becoming a clinical problem.

Regarding diet, only male victims, compared to victim-bullies, bullies, and non-involved students, showed significantly higher means, indicating avoidance of high-energy foods and intense concerns about physical shape. It is possible that they are seeking an “ideal body” that aligns more with their peer group’s expectations, which can result in greater social acceptance and fewer experienced aggressions(2828 Oliveira MR, Machado JSA. O insustentável peso da autoimagem: (re)apresentações na sociedade do espetáculo. Ciênc Saúde Colet. 2021;26(7):2663-72. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232021267.08782021
https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232021267...
). Body-related criticisms within peer contexts, such as in bullying situations, can intensify concerns about body weight and lead to the adoption of restrictive diets. Therefore, eating disorders in males may be related to the need to feel in control, even if it is only over their weight. In the case of males, diets may not solely aim for weight loss but, in certain cases, for weight gain or muscle mass increase since in Western culture, the muscular male body is considered ideal(2929 Silva AMB, Machado WAL, Bellodi AC, Cunha KS, Enumo SRF. Jovens insatisfeitos com a imagem corporal: estresse, autoestima e problemas alimentares. Psico USF. 2018;23(3):483-95, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-82712018230308
https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-82712018230...
).

Male victims also exhibited significantly greater food control, indicating a heightened sense of environmental and social pressures related to food intake. This may be related to the diet result, which, in turn, may stem from the greater violence suffered concerning weight and physical appearance. For boys, all types of bullying victimization (physical, verbal, and psychological) were correlated with oral self-control, whereas for girls, there was no correlation with physical victimization. This may suggest that boys, in addition to being targets of body-related derogation in the bullying context, also experience physical aggression such as hitting, punching, kicking, among others(44 Alencastro LCS, Silva JL, Komatsu AV, Bernardino FBS, Mello FCM, Silva MAI. Theater of the Oppressed and bullying: nursing performance in school adolescent health. Rev Bras Enferm. 2020;73(1):1-7. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0910
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0...
). As the results indicate, they may more actively seek to alter their body weight through diets and, consequently, feel more pressured by their social group, family, or friends to consume food.

Both female and male victims showed significant risk for binge-eating episodes followed by compensatory behaviors to avoid weight gain. In Copeland et al.’s study(1717 Copeland WE, Bulik CM, Zucker N, Wolke D, Lereya ST, Costello EJ. Does childhood bullying predict eating disorder symptoms? a prospective, longitudinal analysis. Int J Eat Disord. 2015;48(8):1141-49. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22459
https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22459...
), victims were also more vulnerable to symptoms of bulimia.

Overall, the results indicate that, in the investigated sample, male victims of bullying are more vulnerable to the development of eating disorders. This is concerning since adolescence is considered a high-risk period for the development of psychological disorders due to various ongoing transformations: physical, psychological, and social, which directly influence body image acceptance(3030 Silva N, Silveira MF, Machado IC, Haikal DS, Oliveira e Silva CS, Silva RRV. Autoimagem e satisfação corporal em adolescentes escolares. Rev Bras Obes Nutr Emagrecimento [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2022 Jan 5]:12(75): 948-53. Available from: http://www.rbone.com.br/index.php/rbone/article/view/831
http://www.rbone.com.br/index.php/rbone/...
). Therefore, experiencing bullying can exacerbate the challenges faced by some adolescents, making them even more vulnerable to eating disorders. This situation is particularly worrisome for the boys in the study, as although men are now encouraged to seek treatment for eating disorders, women are still more likely to seek help(3131 Cobo B, Cruz C, Dick PC. Desigualdades de gênero e raciais no acesso e uso dos serviços de atenção primária à saúde no Brasil. Ciênc Saúde Colet. 2021;26(9):4021-32. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232021269.05732021
https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232021269...
).

In this regard, it is important to highlight that men’s health is a field still under development, and the issue of eating disorders in this population is generally underdiagnosed, undertreated, and poorly understood. Furthermore, the aggression suffered related to body size or shape may lead adolescents to seek quick solutions that can be detrimental to their health, such as inappropriate diets(3232 Ministério da Saúde (BR). Passo a passo PSE. Programa Saúde na Escola: tecendo caminhos da intersetorialidade [Internet]. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2011 [cited 2018 Jul 27]. Available from: http://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoes/passo_a_passo_programa_saude_escola.pdf
http://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoe...
).

Study limitations

The sample size used limits the generalizability of our results. The cross-sectional nature of the study does not allow for establishing causal relationships, although the identified associations have significant scientific and clinical relevance. Another limitation is that the data were collected through self-report instruments, which may introduce memory bias or result in lower participant engagement when answering the questions, particularly for student aggressors who may have concerns about being recognized in some way, even if they are not identified in the questionnaires. However, these instruments are validated for the Brazilian population, and we have no reason to consider their low community relevance.

Contributions to the Nursing, Health, or Public Policy field

The study addresses a topic included in national and international proposals and initiatives promoting a culture of peace and health in schools, such as the Regional Initiative Schools Promoting Health in the Americas, Health-Promoting Schools, and the Health in School Program(3232 Ministério da Saúde (BR). Passo a passo PSE. Programa Saúde na Escola: tecendo caminhos da intersetorialidade [Internet]. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2011 [cited 2018 Jul 27]. Available from: http://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoes/passo_a_passo_programa_saude_escola.pdf
http://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoe...
). In this context, promoting health in schools also ensures the individual and collective empowerment and emancipation of students, particularly in contributing to breaking prejudice, discrimination, and cycles of systematic violence like bullying.

The National Policy for Health Promotion (PNPS) also prioritizes the promotion of a culture of peace and good coexistence, which involves, among other aspects, promoting respect for diversity and reducing violence(3333 Malta DC, Reis AAC, Jaime PC, Otaliba LMN, Silva MMA, Akerman M. O SUS e a Política Nacional de Promoção da Saúde: perspectiva resultados, avanços e desafios em tempos de crise. Ciênc Saúde Colet. 2018;23(6):1799-09. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232018236.04782018
https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232018236...
). However, these topics are still underexplored in the training and professional practice of nurses(3434 Silva JL, Oliveira WA, Mello FCM, Andrade LS, Bazon MR, Silva MAI. Anti-bullying interventions in schools: a systematic literature review. Ciênc Saúde Colet. 2017;22(7):2329-40. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232017227.16242015
https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232017227...
). Studies indicate that the coordinated and intersectoral action of Primary Health Care (PHC) professionals in the area of violence against children and adolescents remains a challenge(3434 Silva JL, Oliveira WA, Mello FCM, Andrade LS, Bazon MR, Silva MAI. Anti-bullying interventions in schools: a systematic literature review. Ciênc Saúde Colet. 2017;22(7):2329-40. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232017227.16242015
https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232017227...
-3535 Carlos DM, Pádua EMM, Silva LMP, Silva MAI, Marques WEU, Leitão MNC. The care network of the families involved in family violence against children and adolescents: the Primary Health Care perspective. J Clin Nurs. 2017;26(15-16):2452-67. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.13692
https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.13692...
).

Thus, improvements in the quality of students’ social interactions can be developed by nurses and other health professionals through school health promotion activities that encourage good coexistence and the establishment of a culture of non-violence. This not only prevents and breaks cycles of violence among students but also prevents other negative outcomes of school bullying, such as the development of eating disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of developing eating disorders was higher for the victim profile, both for males and females. Associations between boys and aggression were also observed. The results indicate that victims, especially boys, are more vulnerable to the negative consequences of bullying regarding the risk of eating disorders.

Considering that eating disorders typically emerge during adolescence, a period when bullying is more prevalent, identifying factors associated with bullying can improve understanding of this type of violence and provide a basis for the development of anti-bullying interventions and eating disorder prevention. These interventions should be interdisciplinary, promoting non-violence and health, with proposals and approaches based on the integration of different sectors and equity, as bullying affects students in various ways, whether they are victims, aggressors, victim-bullies, or witnesses. Simultaneously, providing care for cases of bullying and eating disorders requires defining target groups, and this study can assist Primary Care teams in this process.

AVAILABILITY OF DATA AND MATERIAL

https://doi.org/10.48331/scielodata.AMEZXY

  • FUNDING
    This study was funded by grant 2018/04570-0, São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP).

REFERENCES

  • 1
    Borgen NT, Olweus D, Kirkebøen LJ, Breivik K, Solberg ME, Frønes I, et al. The potential of anti-bullying efforts to prevent academic failure and youth crime: a case using the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP). Prev Sci. 2021;22:1147-58. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-021-01254-3
    » https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-021-01254-3
  • 2
    Zequinão MA, Medeiros P, Silva JL, Pereira BO, Cardosos FL. Sociometric status of participants involved in school bullying. Paidéia (Ribeirão Preto). 2020;30:e3011. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-4327e3011
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-4327e3011
  • 3
    Silva JL, Komatsu AV, Zequinão MA, Pereira B, Wang GY, Silva MAI. Bullying, social skills, peer acceptance, and friendship among students in school transition. Estud Psicol. 2019;36:e180060. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0275201936e180060
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0275201936e180060
  • 4
    Alencastro LCS, Silva JL, Komatsu AV, Bernardino FBS, Mello FCM, Silva MAI. Theater of the Oppressed and bullying: nursing performance in school adolescent health. Rev Bras Enferm. 2020;73(1):1-7. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0910
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0910
  • 5
    Malta DC, Mello FCM, Prado RR, Sá ACMGND, Marinho F, Pinto IV, et al. Prevalência de bullying e fatores associados em escolares brasileiros, 2015. Ciênc Saúde Colet. 2019;24(4):1359-68. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232018244.15492017
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232018244.15492017
  • 6
    Manuel D, Adams S, Mpilo M, Savahl S. Prevalence of bullying victimisation among primary school children in South Africa: a population-based study. BMC Res Notes. 2021;14(342):1-6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-021-05747-w
    » https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-021-05747-w
  • 7
    Marcolino EM, Calvacanti AL, Padilha WWN, Miranda FAN, Clementino FS. Bullying: prevalence and factors associated with vitimization and aggression in the school quotidian. Texto Contexto Enferm. 2018;27(1):e5500016. https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072018005500016
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072018005500016
  • 8
    Menestrel L. Preventing bullying: consequences, prevention, and intervention. J Youth Dev. 2020;15(3):8-26. https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2020.945
    » https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2020.945
  • 9
    Lie SØ, Bulik CM, Andreassen OA, Rø Ø, Bang L. The association between bullying and eating disorders: a case-control study. Int J Eat Disord. 2021;54(8):1405-14. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23522
    » https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23522
  • 10
    American Psychiatric Association (APA). Manual diagnóstico e estatístico de transtornos mentais: DSM-5. 5th ed. Porto Alegre: Artmed; 2014.
  • 11
    Bloc LG, Nazareth ACP, Melo AKS, Moreira V. Transtorno de compulsão alimentar: revisão sistemática da literatura. Rev Psicol Saúde. 2019; 11(1):3-17. https://doi.org/10.20435/pssa.v11i1.617
    » https://doi.org/10.20435/pssa.v11i1.617
  • 12
    Oliveira APG, Fonseca IR, Almada MORV, Acosta RJT, Silva MM, Pereira KB, et al. Transtornos alimentares, imagem corporal e influência da mídia em universitárias. Rev enferm UFPE. 2020;14:e245234. https://doi.org/10.5205/1981-8963.2020.245234
    » https://doi.org/10.5205/1981-8963.2020.245234
  • 13
    Quintero-Jurado J, Moratto-Vásquez N, Caicedo-Velasquez B, Cárdenas-Zuluaga N, Espelage DL. Association between school bullying, suicidal ideation, and eating disorders among school-aged children from Antioquia, Colombia. Trends Psychol. 2021;30:58-72. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43076-021-00101-2
    » https://doi.org/10.1007/s43076-021-00101-2
  • 14
    Lee KS, Vaillancourt T. Longitudinal associations among bullying by peers, disordered eating behavior, and symptoms of depression during adolescence. JAMA Psychiatry. 2018;75(6):605-12. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2018.0284
    » https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2018.0284
  • 15
    Lee K, Guy A, Dale J, Wolke D. Does psychological functioning mediate the relationship between bullying involvement and weight loss preoccupation in adolescents? a two-stage cross-sectional study. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2017;14(1):1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-017-0491-1
    » https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-017-0491-1
  • 16
    Pearson CM, Miller J, Ackard DM, Loth KA, Wall MM, Haynos AF et al. Stability and change in patterns of eating disorder symptoms from adolescence to young adulthood. Int J Eat Disord. 2017;50(7):748-57. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22692
    » https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22692
  • 17
    Copeland WE, Bulik CM, Zucker N, Wolke D, Lereya ST, Costello EJ. Does childhood bullying predict eating disorder symptoms? a prospective, longitudinal analysis. Int J Eat Disord. 2015;48(8):1141-49. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22459
    » https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22459
  • 18
    Von Elm E, Altman DG, Egger M, Pocock SJ, Vandenbroucke JP, STROBE Initiative. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies. J Clin Epidemiol. 2008;61(4):344-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2007.11.008
    » https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2007.11.008
  • 19
    Spezzia, S. O papel da odontohebiatria na saúde bucal dos adolescentes. Rev Fac Cienc Med (Sorocaba). 2021;22(1):41-42. https://doi.org/10.23925/1984-4840.2020v22i1a10
    » https://doi.org/10.23925/1984-4840.2020v22i1a10
  • 20
    Cunha JM, Weber LND, Steiner Neto P. Escala de Vitimização e Agressão entre Pares (EVAP). In: Weber LND, Dessen MA, (Eds.). Pesquisando a família: instrumentos para coleta e análise de dados. Curitiba: Juruá; 2009. p. 103-14.
  • 21
    Bigheti F, Santos CB, Santos JE, Ribeiro RPP. Tradução e avaliação do Eating Attitudes Test em adolescentes do sexo feminino de Ribeirão Preto. J Bras Psiquiatr [Internet]. 2004[cited 2022 Jan 5];53(6):339-46. Available from: https://pesquisa.bvsalud.org/portal/resource/pt/lil-403090
    » https://pesquisa.bvsalud.org/portal/resource/pt/lil-403090
  • 22
    Seidel EJ, Moreira Júnior FJ, Ansuj AP, Noal MRC. Comparação entre o Método Ward e o Método k-médias no agrupamento de produtores de leite. Ciênc Nat. 2008;30(1):7-15. https://doi.org/10.5902/2179460X9737
    » https://doi.org/10.5902/2179460X9737
  • 23
    Giraldo NIB, Castrillón JJC, Cañón SC, Acevedo JAG, Echeverri LM, Pacheco SS, et al. Frecuencia y factores asociados al acoso escolar en colegios de Chinchiná (Colombia), 2014. Psicol Caribe [Internet]. 2016[cited 2022 Jan 5];33(2):312-32. Available from: http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0123-417X2016000300312&lng=es&nrm=iso&tlng=es
    » http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0123-417X2016000300312&lng=es&nrm=iso&tlng=es
  • 24
    Carmona-Torres JA, Cangas AJ, Langer AI, Aguilar-Parra JM, Gallego J. Acoso escolar y su relación con el consumo de drogas y trastornos alimentarios: comparación entre adolescentes de Chile y España. Psicol Conductual [Internet]. 2015[cited 2022 Jan 5];23(3):507-27. Available from: https://pesquisa.bvsalud.org/portal/resource/pt/ibc-151203
    » https://pesquisa.bvsalud.org/portal/resource/pt/ibc-151203
  • 25
    Russo LX. Associação entre vitimização por bullying e índice de massa corporal em escolares. Cad Saude Publica. 2020;36(10):e00182819. https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00182819
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00182819
  • 26
    Santos MA, Oliveira VH, Peres RS, Risk EM, Leonidas C, Oliveira-Cardoso EA. Corpo, saúde e sociedade de consumo: a construção social do corpo saudável. Saude Soc. 2019;28(3):239-52. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-12902019170035
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-12902019170035
  • 27
    Borges F, Barreto MS, Reis P, Vieira CS, Marcon SS. Percepções e atitudes de crianças que vivenciam a obesidade. Rev Rene. 2018;19(1):32-61. https://doi.org/10.15253/2175-6783.2018193261
    » https://doi.org/10.15253/2175-6783.2018193261
  • 28
    Oliveira MR, Machado JSA. O insustentável peso da autoimagem: (re)apresentações na sociedade do espetáculo. Ciênc Saúde Colet. 2021;26(7):2663-72. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232021267.08782021
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232021267.08782021
  • 29
    Silva AMB, Machado WAL, Bellodi AC, Cunha KS, Enumo SRF. Jovens insatisfeitos com a imagem corporal: estresse, autoestima e problemas alimentares. Psico USF. 2018;23(3):483-95, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-82712018230308
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-82712018230308
  • 30
    Silva N, Silveira MF, Machado IC, Haikal DS, Oliveira e Silva CS, Silva RRV. Autoimagem e satisfação corporal em adolescentes escolares. Rev Bras Obes Nutr Emagrecimento [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2022 Jan 5]:12(75): 948-53. Available from: http://www.rbone.com.br/index.php/rbone/article/view/831
    » http://www.rbone.com.br/index.php/rbone/article/view/831
  • 31
    Cobo B, Cruz C, Dick PC. Desigualdades de gênero e raciais no acesso e uso dos serviços de atenção primária à saúde no Brasil. Ciênc Saúde Colet. 2021;26(9):4021-32. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232021269.05732021
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232021269.05732021
  • 32
    Ministério da Saúde (BR). Passo a passo PSE. Programa Saúde na Escola: tecendo caminhos da intersetorialidade [Internet]. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2011 [cited 2018 Jul 27]. Available from: http://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoes/passo_a_passo_programa_saude_escola.pdf
    » http://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoes/passo_a_passo_programa_saude_escola.pdf
  • 33
    Malta DC, Reis AAC, Jaime PC, Otaliba LMN, Silva MMA, Akerman M. O SUS e a Política Nacional de Promoção da Saúde: perspectiva resultados, avanços e desafios em tempos de crise. Ciênc Saúde Colet. 2018;23(6):1799-09. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232018236.04782018
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232018236.04782018
  • 34
    Silva JL, Oliveira WA, Mello FCM, Andrade LS, Bazon MR, Silva MAI. Anti-bullying interventions in schools: a systematic literature review. Ciênc Saúde Colet. 2017;22(7):2329-40. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232017227.16242015
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232017227.16242015
  • 35
    Carlos DM, Pádua EMM, Silva LMP, Silva MAI, Marques WEU, Leitão MNC. The care network of the families involved in family violence against children and adolescents: the Primary Health Care perspective. J Clin Nurs. 2017;26(15-16):2452-67. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.13692
    » https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.13692

Edited by

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Dulce Barbosa
ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Carina Dessotte

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    27 Nov 2023
  • Date of issue
    2023

History

  • Received
    08 Dec 2022
  • Accepted
    27 June 2023
Associação Brasileira de Enfermagem SGA Norte Quadra 603 Conj. "B" - Av. L2 Norte 70830-102 Brasília, DF, Brasil, Tel.: (55 61) 3226-0653, Fax: (55 61) 3225-4473 - Brasília - DF - Brazil
E-mail: reben@abennacional.org.br