School Nurses Can Play Pivotal Role in Stopping Bullying of Obese Adolescents

Newswise — School nurses can help break the cycle of bullying and can help students recover from bullying without psychological harm, said Sabrina Robinson, author of a new study published in the latest issue of The Journal of School Nursing.

In the United States today, obesity in children and adolescents is at an all-time high. Of all U.S. children, 8.6 million are at risk for obesity, and almost 14 million are already obese. Obesity in adolescence has immediate detrimental effects on the psychosocial development and well-being of youth, and it can lead to long-term consequences—even reduced earning power as adults.

Adolescents are more sensitive to weight-based teasing than are small children or adults because identity development, including body image and self-esteem, primarily occurs during this stage. Much of this development is influenced by the relationship adolescents have with their peers.

As part of a school nurse's role to promote health and a healthy school environment, they should identify and intervene with bullying. According to a previous study, the first warning sign of weight-based victimization is frequent complaints or vague physical symptoms. Students may use these complaints to avoid going to school, which can lead to prolonged absenteeism. If school nurses can identify the warning signs of victimization, they are more likely to be able to help.

Once a bullying victim is identified, a variety of invention strategies can be used. In this study, many of these strategies are listed, including role-playing, peer counseling, and bibliotherapy. Prevention, early identification and intervention are crucial in preserving the psychosocial health of obese adolescents.

To read the entire study, click here: http://www.allenpress.com/pdf/scnu_22_402_201_206.pdf

The Journal of School Nursing is the bimonthly journal of the National Association of School Nurses. For more information about the association, please visit http://www.nasn.org.