Battling Bullies

How many overweight and obese teenagers are verbally attacked in person and online? Researchers surveyed overweight teens to find out how often theywere bullied and who the perpetrators are. In some cases, the ridicule continued even after they lost weight.

Who did the participants name as the bullies? 92% pointed to their peers and 70% blamed their “friends.” Coaches, parents and teachers were also indicted. Verbal bullying was the most frequent form of attack…but cyber-bullying wasn’t far behind. Researchers say school personnel are important in identifying and supporting kids who may be at risk.