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PROVO — Children are less likely to engage in physical activity even a year after being teased in P.E., according to a new study from Brigham Young University.
Researchers followed fourth and fifth graders for a year to observe their reactions to being teased in P.E. or during other physical activities. Previous studies have examined how teasing negatively affects overweight children, but researchers found size doesn't always dictate whether a child will be affected.
“One of the most interesting findings is that this applied to normal weight children also," said psychology professor Chad Jensen. "There are a bunch of studies saying overweight kids who are teased by peers are less likely to be active, but this study is really pretty novel in that it applies to normal weight kids too.”
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Children from six elementary schools in the Midwest were given three surveys at the beginning and end of the study. They were asked about their experiences with being teased while exercising, including not being chosen for a team and being called names.
Most schools already have programs to prevent bullying, but Jensen suggested special consideration should be given to P.E. classes and recess where children can be targeted.
“One of our recommendations is simply that schools sort of attend to whether this is being considered in P.E. classes, at recess and in circumstances where kids are less likely to be closely monitored, (to provide) a way for kids to talk to a teacher if they’re being bullied at recess or in P.E. class,” he said.
The study was published in the "Journal of Pediatric Psychology."
