Teasing Kids Effects Behavior As Adults

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - What happens to us as kids can have long term effects. Children who were teased about their weight are more likely to try fasting, skipping meals, vomiting, or using diet pills or laxatives.

All of these methods to lose weight are extreme and can be a sign of greater underlying psychological problems.

There was a landmark study from the University of Minnesota. The study was a large one and included more than 2,500 middle school and high school students who were surveyed twice, five years apart. They were teased about issues surrounding diet and weight and sadly, teasing occurs far too often.

According to the report, 23% of girls and 21% of boys have been victims.