Weight Teasing and Binge Eating Among Adolescents in Shanghai, China: Role of Anxiety and Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors

Abstract

Objective: Weight teasing among adolescents is associated with disordered eating behaviors (DEBs), including unhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCBs) and binge eating (BE). This study aimed to explore the relationships between weight teasing and BE, focusing on the mediating roles of anxiety and UWCBs. Methods: Our survey was conducted on 5875 adolescents from Shanghai, consisting of 2974 boys (50.6%) and 2901 girls (49.4%), with an average age of (13.97 ± 2.06) years. A structural equation model was constructed to examine the indirect effects of weight teasing on BE through anxiety and UWCBs, adjusting for gender, age, and their body mass index (BMI). Results: Weight teasing demonstrated an indirect association with BE, primarily through UWCBs (β = 0.047, p < 0.001) and anxiety (β = 0.038, p < 0.001). The chain mediating effect of anxiety and UWCBs was relatively modest (β = 0.017, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of addressing anxiety and weight teasing and promotion of healthy weight control behaviors among adolescents to prevent eating disorders. Future attention to these issues in boys is also warranted.