Since youth spend a large amount of time in the school environment, and given the multiple influences of teachers, peers, and food and physical activity options, youth are likely to experience stressors that can influence their weight, so this study examines the association between school climate and weight status.
Students (n = 28,582; 58 schools) completed an online, anonymous school climate survey as part of the Maryland Safe and Supportive Schools Project. Multilevel structural equation modeling was used to explore the association between school climate, personal stress, and obesity. Analyses were stratified by gender. At the individual level, poor school climate (bullying, physical safety, and lack of whole-school connectedness) was associated with an increased likelihood of being overweight among females (β = .115, p = .019) but not males (β = .138; p = .244), after controlling for age, race, and physical activity. There was no association between school climate at the school level and being overweight among males or females. A second model included stress as a potential mediator; stress attenuated the relationship between poor school-related climate and being overweight (β = .039; p = .048) among females. Findings suggest that stress related to school climate can play a role in the health and weight status of youth. (Publisher Abstract Provided)
Downloads
Similar Publications
- The Intersection of Deflection, Traumatic Brain Injuries, and Substance Use Disorders (Podcast Series)
- Factor Structure of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale among Early Adolescents: Results from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study
- Trauma Behind the Keyboard: Exploring Disparities in Child Sexual Abuse Materials Exposure and Mental Health Factors Among Investigators and Forensic Examiners - A Network Analysis