Bullying and cyberbullying among school-aged children with obesity or overweight: results of the SOPKARD-Junior programme - a cross-sectional study

Children with obesity and overweight are frequently exposed to social stigma. Therefore, effective approaches to childhood obesity should address not only somatic health consequences but also psychological and social functioning, including weight-related stigma. We examined whether body mass index above the norm is associated with involvement in bullying and cyberbullying as a victim, perpetrator, or both (bully-victim) among children and adolescents. In this cross-sectional study we used data from the SOPKARD-Junior preventive programme (Poland) collected between 2015 and 2024. The final analysis included 1,113 students who completed the standardized Health Behaviour in School-aged Children questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements indicated 70.8% normal weight, 14.2% overweight, and 15.0% obesity. Approximately 11.6% of the children reported experiencing peer violence, with the prevalence being statistically significantly higher among those with obesity or overweight compared to their normal-weight peers (16.2% vs. 10.9%, p = 0.028). No statistically significant differences were observed between body mass index groups in bullying perpetration or in cyberbullying victimisation and perpetration. Interestingly, a significant association between perpetration and victimisation was observed in both weight groups. The post-pandemic period was independently associated with higher odds of victimisation, cybervictimisation, and cyberbullying perpetration. These findings highlight the need for school-based prevention and intervention strategies that address weight-related stigma and psychosocial well-being among children with excess body weight.