Body Mass Index in Relation to Exposure of Bullying Attempts and Suicidal Ideation among Saudi Adolescents Female Students

Abstract

Background. Evidence indicates that obese or overweight female adolescents are more at risk of experiencing bullying and some degree of violence during their school life. Aim. The study aims to assess the relationship between female adolescents' BMI with the level of bullying and suicidal ideation, and other socio-demographic factors. Methods. This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study targeted 985 female students from eight National Guard (NG) middles and high schools. A self-administrative questionnaire (SRST and CABS) was used to collect demographic and anthropologic measurements. Results. The result indicated a statistically significant positive relationship in terms of bullying and BMI with suicide risk among the adolescent students (P=0.000), suicide risk in parents’ education (mother-education r= 0.112, P=0.000 and father-education r= 0.097, P=0.002 respectively), and adolescents' BMI and age, father education, and family income P=0.000. P=0.033 and P=0.000, respectively. Conclusion. The risk of bullying and suicide risk are higher among obese and overweight female adolescents.