Victims of Bullying at Risk for Obesity and Heart Disease in Adulthood
Victims of Bullying at Risk for Obesity and Heart Disease in Adulthood, according to British psychiatrists.
People who had been bullied in childhood were more likely to be obese in adulthood, and were also more likely to develop heart disease, diabetes and other health problems. Apparently, bullying is not only bad for emotional health but also for physical health.
The study involved 7,102 children whose parents gave information on their child’s exposure to bullying at age 7 and 11. Twenty-eight percent had been bullied occasionally and 15 percent were bullied frequently. Researchers looked at their blood inflammation and weight at age 45. According to Louise Arseneault, who led the research, both men and women who had been bullied had high fat levels around the abdomen, which is known to increase the risk of heart disease. They also had higher levels of blood inflammation.
Participants who were frequently bullied also had high levels of a substance called C-reactive protein (CRP), which increases heart disease risk by increasing atherosclerosis, or fatty deposits in arteries. Researchers emphasize the need to pay greater attention to victims of bullying and their health.
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