THE WEIGHT OF BULLYING: TEENAGERS’ EXPERIENCES AND RESPONSES
This article aims to document the nature, the influencing factors and the responses to weight-based bullying experiences. Fourteen participants aged 14 to 16 years old were interviewed. In order to partake in the study, these youths had to be overweight within the past five years. Following the interviews, the qualitative data gathered were analyzed in order to detect common themes. The results reveal that seven participants were bullied because of current or past overweight. They also indicate a tendency to normalize hurtful comments. Finally, assertiveness, avoidance and seeking support appeared to be common reactions to bullying experiences.