Kids Teased in Phys-Ed Class Exercise Less a Year Later

A new study found that children who were bullied during P.E. class or other physical activities were less likely to participate in physical activity one year later.

Overweight or obese children who experienced teasing during physical activity had a lower perceived health-related quality of life (referring to physical, social, academic and emotional functioning) one year later. Even children with a healthy weight who were bullied during physical activity tended to exercise less often one year later.

Many previous studies have already correlated bullying with decreased physical activity among kids who are obese or overweight, but it was surprising to find that the correlation didn't end there.

"Our finding that this applies to normal-weight kids also was novel," said Chad Jensen, a psychology professor at BYU and lead author on the study published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140116150850.htm

Abstract in Journal of Pediatric Psychology: Associations Between Teasing, Quality of Life, and Physical Activity Among Preadolescent Children