Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Every human experience is meaningful. This means that an experience always involves

specific understanding which present certain values and perceptions. Weight problems is one of

the problem everyone is facing especially for teenagers because of the criticism they can gain

from other people. Being underweight can bother you and can greatly influence your physical,

mental and emotional welfare. Additionally, it can degrade your self-esteem and can make a

cycle of self-blame, self-doubt and self-hatred. (Wadden,2004)

This problem has become more frequent as the society of today is all about consumption,

fast food, calories, and lack of exercise, as a simple machine is able to do everything one is too

lazy to do. Being underweight has been thought to simply be related to an imbalance between

energy intake and expenditure. However, more recent research has suggested that genetic,

physiological, and behavioural factors also play a significant role in the etiology of being

underweight..

Weight discrimination increases the risk for underweight by as much as 2.5 times This, in

turn, makes individuals more vulnerable to weight discrimination, perpetuating a cycle of weight

gain. Underweight is a case where the height and weight of a person is not balance. Hence,

BMI( Body Mass Index) is used as an instrument to know or view if a person is obese or not.

Bullying are also one of the unstoppable issues in our society. Everyone can also be a

victim of bullying, whether you are good to other people there is someone who can say
something bad on you or make fun of you because of your good attributes. As of this, that even

nice and good person can also be a victim of bullying how much more to those people who have

imperfections with themselves more specially those who have imperfections with their physical

attributes like those person who are experiencing lack of weight.

Lack of weight can be experienced through the ages whether you are a child, teenager or

adult your body depends on your lifestyle. Teenagers or High School Students are prone with

this situation that triggers them and can cause various complications or symptoms that can affect

health and life. Underweight students are more prone in experiencing bullying because every day

they meet and encounter many students that can judge them base on their physical appearance

and students that can bully them. They might be accepted by their friends, classmates and their

teachers, there are people who can’t understand their situation and judge them on what they see.

This study inspires the Researchers to know the bullying experiences of underweight

people, the effect of their experiences and also on how they overcome and deal with those

experiences.

It will help not just the respondents but also it will open the minds of other people to

understand the experiences of underweight people. This will be a help to encourage students in

facing their experiences and boost their self-esteem when facing other people.

Statement of the Problem

Generally, this study aims to explore the quality of living of underweight. Specifically, it

sought to answer the following question:

1. How the respondents are being described in terms of:

 1.1 Age

1.2 Sex

1.3 Form of Bullying

2. What are the experiences encountered of the respondents?

3. What are the effects of experiences to the respondents?

4. How does the respondents cope from the experiences situation?

Significance of the Study

This study can serve as a big help to everybody. It can help the Respondents,

Administration, Teachers, Parents, Researchers and Future Researchers.

To the Respondents. They are the main benefactor of this study. It will help them know

their rights and importance to the society and to understand their situation with regards to other

bullying experiences. It will help them in boosting their self-esteem when facing other people.

To the Guidance Counselor. This will help them to establish programs, trainings and

seminars when it comes to the experiences of underweight students.

To the Underweight Individual. This study will help them to understand their situation

well and will serve as a stepping stone to build their self-confidence.

 To the Teachers. This study will help them give the students some tips or advice and

motivation to accept and overcome whatever they are facing because of bullying.

To the Parents. This study will give the parents some insights on how lack of weight

affect their children and how to handle and deal with it.

To the Future Researchers. This study will serve as a guide in making research in the

future and also serve as an instrument to easily gather information when it comes to bullying

experiences of underweight people.

Scope and Delimitation

This study focuses on the bullying experience of underweight students in Victoria

National High School (Main). The purpose of the study is to understand the experiences

encountered of the respondents, the effects of the experiences and the coping mechanism used by

respondents to overcome such bullying experiences.

This study will be conducted in the school year 2019-2020.

Definition of Terms

Age. Refers on how long does someone existed, this is the respondents current age

Bullying. This are the kind of insults and mistreatment experienced by the respondents

because of being underweight.

Cope. This is how the respondents overcome and deal with their bullying experiences.
 Effects. These are the positive or negative consequences experienced by the respondents

because of being underweight.

Experiences. Is a bad or good things happening happened to the respondents.

Forms of Bullying. This is the kind of bullying experienced by obese people. It can be

physical, social, verbal, and emotional.

Underweight. This is the condition of the respondents and the reason why they are being

bullied. These are the people whose height and weight are not balance.

Sex. Is the identity of the respondent being a male or a female.

 Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter gives an insight to different works done by different researchers about

bullying experiences of underweight people. All information presented are deemed related and

important to the researchers for the present study.

Related Literature

In an article wrote by Fiona Gillison (2015), being underweight and obese is one of the most

common reasons that children and adolescents are teased or bullied at school; in fact, weight-

based victimization occurs at school more often than victimization due to race, religion or

disability. Weight-based teasing in overweight or obese children and adolescents may contribute

to negative emotional consequences, academic failure, and peer rejection. Moreover, the risk of

depression and low self-esteem in obese children victims of bullying is substantial after

controlling for BMI and other variables such as age, gender and duration of obesity, indicating

that the psychological sequelae are a consequence of victimization and not simply of weight

status.

Based on an article, Thibodeau et al, stated that certain demographic characteristics of

individuals are associated with thinking that being underweight is blameworthy. Specifically,

males, conservatives, and people who had a lower body mass index (BMI) or who had not

personally suffered from an eating disorder were more likely to endorse the view that obesity is

caused by poor decisions about diet and exercise , for related evidence that individuals with and

without eating disorders have differing views of these conditions. Age was controlled to see
whether a child’s bullying experiences lessen as they grow older and body image was controlled

to see if a child’s self-esteem played a role in whether they were a victim of bullying or not.

By reviewing these two literature, we can see that the effect of the coefficient for age

shows that as children become older, there is a modest negative effect on the intensity of

reported bullying experiences. Overweight and obese school-aged children are more likely to be

the victims and perpetrators of bullying behaviours than their normal-weight peers. These

tendencies may hinder the short- and long-term social and psychological development of

overweight and obese youth.

According to (Puhl, 2007),there is considerable reason to be concerned about the

increases in obesity because of the many negative social, physical, and psychological

consequences that come with being overweight or obese especially as an adolescent or child.

Research has suggested that overweight or obese youth are victims of bias and stereotyping by

peers, educators, and even parents .During childhood and adolescence, life can be difficult

enough but when you add weight bias or discrimination and its consequences, it can hinder the

child’s social, emotional, and academic development.

Related to family, (Voelker, et al, 2015) presented that weight-based teasing from parents

and siblings is associated with body dissatisfaction among girls and drive for muscularity among

boys. In the media, there are only negative stereotypes and attributes about overweight or obese

people so not only does that make the person have low self-esteem or a bad body image, but it

also allows other people to think it is okay to body shame someone that is not within the

“normal” image of how we are “supposed” to look.

 The results of the present study above about bullying experiences of obese students are

important, because they confirm that childhood overweight/ obesity is not only associated with

metabolic health risk but also with problems in social interactions and relationships.

Obesity in children has been said to be associated with undesirable social, physical

and psychological consequences such as unsuccessful peer relationships, poor self-esteem,

hopelessness, depression, and bullying (Falkner, et al, 2001).

According to Janssen, et al, (2004),this could have a lot to do with the self-esteem of

the adolescents, if they have encountered bullying or negative stereotypes throughout their whole

lives about their weight, that is going to make it hard to feel confident. If you do not have any

confidence within yourself then that will start to show when you are trying to create relationships

or friendships with people. Also, if they have always had negative experiences associated with

schooling then that may hinder their interest in wanting to continue their education after High

School. Janssen, et al, also stated that “being overweight during adolescence has an effect on

high school performance and college acceptance.” (Janssen, et al, 2004, pg. 1192). If a child is

avoiding school or not paying attention in class because of bullying, weight stigmas, depression,

etc., then they are probably missing work in their classes. If they are missing work or failing, that

in turn will hinder them getting accepted into colleges.

Bullying is commonly defined as the longstanding physical or psychological abuse of a

student who is unable to defend himself by either an individual or group of other students.

Outcomes for both bullies and their victims are bleak; victims of bullying are more likely than

non-victims to report physical and mental health problems, including psychosomatic complaints,

and contemplate suicide. Bullies themselves are more likely to drop out of school, spend some

amount of time in prison, and become abusive spouses (Elinoff, Chafouleas & Sassu, 2004).
 The following articles observed the high rate of bullying that resulted to depression,

anxiety, and decreasing of self-esteem. Children observe social interactions of other adults and

peers around them and based on those behaviors observed, children determine their interactional

partners and how those interactions should look.

In the article of Maddox and Liederman (2014),

it was stated that adult teasing predicted body image dissatisfaction in a group of obese women

seeking weight reduction. Similarly, it has been also described how social comparison and a

history of teasing related to body dissatisfaction and eating disturbance in students and similar

results were reported for a sample of obese adults. How such enacted stigma impacts upon an

individual’s felt stigma remains unexplored. In particular, in light of the numerous attempts at

weight loss made by the obese, the present study also aimed to explore the role that stigma plays

in helping or hindering motivations for behaviour change.

Future research should address the cause-effect relationship between obesity and

bullying behaviors in school-aged children. The results suggested that coping strategies of these

often marginalized young people may differ between sexes, with some obese boys using their

physical strength to exercise dominance in their peer group.

Related Studies

In a study conducted by Ian Janssen, PhD et al(2004),it has indicated that negative

stereotypes associated with overweight and obesity in childhood decline with increasing age.

Their findings are somewhat congruent, because they found increased rates of victimization in

the 11 to 14-year old boys but not in the 15-to 16-year-old boys. Nonetheless, in girls there were

associations between BMI and victimization independent of age. In terms of bully-perpetrating,

there were no associations with BMI category in 11- to 14-year-old boys or girls. However,

overweight and obese 15- to 16-year-old boys and girls were more likely to be bully-perpetrators

than their normal-weight peers. This observation is consistent with others who report an

increasing prevalence of relational bully-perpetrating in girls as they go through high school.

Approval from peers is particularly important for developing self-esteem in older adolescents.

Thus, the increase in bully-perpetrating in the 15- to 16-year-old overweight and obese youth

may have reflected a means of initiating peer-group domination at a time when peer groups were

becoming increasingly important. This may be particularly true for physical bully perpetrating,

because size may be a way for overweight boys and girls to dominate others.

Gender seems to have a crucial role, too. In fact, David Marks (2015) found that

overweight and obese youths of both genders are at increased risk of peer victimization , while

obese boys were significantly more likely to be bullies and victims, whereas obese girls were

only victims.

Based on a study conducted by Sowers (2018), the dependent variable bullying was

regressed on two independent variables of interest and two control variables. The two

independent variables of interest are Body Mass Index and Exercise and the two control

variables are Age and Gender. Two of the variables (Age and Exercise) are negatively associated

with bullying and two (BMI and Gender) are positively associated. The effect of the coefficient

for age shows that as children become older, there is a modest negative effect on the intensity of

reported bullying experiences. However, that does not mean that the children or adolescents are

truly bullied less, there are just less self-reports of being bullied.

These studies presented the demographic factors associated with the bullying

experiences of obese students. The following studies both observed that overweight and obese
youths had greater relative odds of being victims of both relational and overt victimization

compared with age-matched normal-weight participants, while an association between

overweight and physical victimization was found only in females.

Based on a study conducted by Puhl et al. (2010), examining in-depth the weight-based

experiences of victimization in weight loss treatment–seeking youths, found that verbal teasing

was the most frequent type of victimization reported by obese adolescents, followed by relational

aggression, cyberbullying and physical aggression.

The National Center for Education Statistics (2011) states that in 2010-2011, 27.8% of

obese students reported that they were bullied, 17.6% of those students were bullied by being

“made fun of”, called names, or insulted. 18.3% stated that they were subject of rumors, 7.9%

said that they were pushed, shoved, tripped, or spit on. Only 9% of students claimed that they

were cyberbullied, 4.4% of those obese students claimed that it was through texting and 3.6%

claimed it was through the internet. According to those statistics, verbal and social bullying is the

most frequent and physical and cyber bullying seems to be happening less.

Physical appearance is one of the main influences that lead to bullying. According to

Kukaswadia et al, (2011) individuals’ appearance affects how others treat and react to them in

social contexts. If an individual internalizes these behaviors, then that could lead to perpetration

of bullying. Also, to compare, the ‘Obesity Stigma Approach’ suggests that weight based stigma

places overweight youths at risk of anti-social health outcomes and those findings have been

supported by past cross-sectional analyses (Kukaswadia, et al, 2011). Kukaswadia’s study helped

confirm that obese males and females do experience increases in victimization due to two major

forms of bullying, relational and physical. This study’s finding is important because the

relationship between bullying may have long term health and social consequences for children
during periods throughout their lives. This research only adds to the growing body of literature

that shows that excess weight has consequences for youth beyond just physical health

(Kukaswadia, et al, 2011).

Taken together, these studies presented the different interactions experienced by obese

people, be it positive and negative. Children who experiences obesity was associated with

undesirable psychological and social consequences, it includes impaired relationship to the

people surrounding them, school experiences, and poor psychological wellbeing.

In a study conducted by Dario Bacchini et al (2014), the significant main effects

concerning weight status categories were found for the following types of victimization: teasing

for physical appearance, name calling, physical victimization, being threatened, exclusion from

sports activities and exclusion from group activities.

In Hayden-Wade, et al’s, (2005) study appearance-related teasing was found to be

pervasive and frequent among overweight or obese children and adolescents. Almost three times

more than their average weight peers, overweight children were teased more for weight related

aspects of their appearance. According to Hayden Wade, “increased frequency in chronic teasing

among obese children or adolescents makes theoretical sense, because one of the main

reinforcers for peer teasing is getting a visible reaction from the victim, and teasing about a

sensitive area such as weight status is likely to get an especially strong reaction.” (Hayden-Wade,

et al, 2005, pg. 1387). Depending on the degree of teasing a child experiences they could also

develop low self-esteem, higher weight concerns, higher preference for isolated activities, and

lower preference for active activities which in return can make them a bigger target for bullying.
 We believe from reviewing these previous studies on weight discrimination, bullying,

and stigmas that we will see a positive correlation between a child’s weight and the rate of

bullying that they encounter because of all the negative stigmas society has against the

overweight or obese population.

In-depth qualitative work, such as that conducted by Neumark-Sztainer (2007) with obese

adolescents, would, in particular, provide fruitful information about these experiences, informing

those closest to these youth of their vulnerability to weight based teasing, coping strategies, and

behavioral and psychological consequences. The results suggested that coping strategies of these

often marginalized young people may differ between sexes, with some obese boys using their

physical strength to exercise dominance in their peer group and girls valuing close, intimate

relationships.

These findings highlight the importance of using BMI to identify overweight and obese

youth, the need to develop effective treatments to prevent and treat overweight and obesity in

youth, and the need to help overweight and obese youth recognize and adjust to obesity-related

social issues.
Research Paradigm

Bullying
Age Experiences

Dealings

Sex Effects

Figure 1.

The research paradigm is related to the statement of the problem, thus serves as

guideline specifically in gathering data and the interpretation of the data collection. The study

described the bullying experiences of underweight students in Victoria National High School and

factors affecting their social life. Through factors with the correspondent variables shown above

help the researchers to determine the relationship of each variables on how they are related to

each other. The research paradigm as illustrated above shows the relationship among the

different variables.
 Chapter 3

METHODOLOGY

These chapter presents the research design, the subject of the study and the sampling

methods, tools and basic instrumentation procedures as well as the statistical treatment, which

will utilize in the conduct of the study.

Research Design

The study used Mixed Method Research Design in the analysis of bullying experiences of

underweight students in Victoria National High School. Mixed Method is used to gain an

understanding of underlying reason, opinion and motivation as well as the statistical records of

the study.

Research Locale

This study will be conducted in Victoria National High School Main Campus both in

Junior and Senior high school, which is located in San Gavino, Victoria, Tarlac.

Respondents of the Study

The students from Junior High and Senior High that are experiencing bullying because of

lack of weight will be the respondents of this study.

Research Instrument

To gather the data from the respondents , we will conduct an interview. It consist of four

parts: the personal information ( e.g. age and sex), bullying experiences, effects and dealings.
Sampling Technique

This study will use purposive sampling technique because the researchers directly know

who the respondents are. A purposive technique is non-probability sample that is selected base

on characteristics of population and the objective of the study.

Data Gathering Procedure

To make this study more accurate, the researchers will make a request letter for the

adviser of a selected sections and year level to have an exact list of the nutritional status of the

students. The research will find possible respondents of the study and when the respondents are

already identified. The researchers then plan to ask for the consent and permission of the chosen

individual to be part of the study. Letters will be given and distributed to each of the respondents

that would be subjects of the current study. And then the researchers will conduct an interview

to the chosen individuals. Afterwards, the researchers will carefully tallied all the data gathered

from the respondents.

Statistical Treatment

The data and information that will be gather from the research instrument is statistically

treated. Statistical treatment includes the frequency and the percentage distribution and mean.

To get the frequency and percentage distribution, the following formula will be use:
Formula:

%=F/N x 100

Where: %- the percent

F-frequency

N-the number of case

 Chapter 4

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

This chapter reviews the results and analysis of the qualitative data , the compilation

of the interview and the results and analysis of the quantitative findings of the study. The

findings are also discussed in the light of previous research findings and available literature,

where applicable, in order to identify similarities and differences between this study and previous

studies and literature. A comprehensive description of the research methodology was given in

Chapter 3.

1. Profile of the Respondents

This section shows the demographic profile of the respondents which consists

of the age, sex.

Table 1
Distribution of the Respondents in Terms of Age
N=10

Age Frequency % Rank

13 2 20% 3.5
14 3 30% 1.5
17 3 30% 1.5
18 2 20% 3.5
Total 10 100

Table 1 shows the respondents’ distribution according to age. From the ten (10) respondents,

majority are under in the range of 14 and 17 years old, both with three (3) respondents or 30%

ranked number 1.5, followed by the age range of 13 and 18 years old, both with two (2)

respondents or 20% ranked number 3.5.

 It has indicated that negative stereotypes associated with underweight and malnutrition

in childhood decline with increasing age. This was according to Ian Janssen, PhD et al. (2004).

Their findings are somewhat congruent, because they found increased rates of victimization in

the 11 to 14-year old boys but not in the 15-to 16-year-old boys. Nonetheless, in girls there were

associations between BMI and victimization independent of age. In terms of bully-perpetrating,

there were no associations with BMI category in 11- to 14-year-old boys or girls. However,

overweight and obese 15- to 16-year-old boys and girls were more likely to be bully-perpetrators

than their normal-weight peers. This observation is consistent with others who report an

increasing prevalence of relational bully-perpetrating in girls as they go through high school.

Approval from peers is particularly important for developing self-esteem in older adolescents.

Thus, the increase in bully-perpetrating in the 15- to 16-year-old underweight youth may have

reflected a means of initiating peer-group domination at a time when peer groups were becoming

increasingly important. This may be particularly true for physical bully perpetrating, because size

may be a way for overweight boys and girls to dominate others. The effect of the coefficient for

age shows that as children become older, there is a modest negative effect on the intensity of

reported bullying experiences. However, that does not mean that the children or adolescents are

truly bullied less, there are just less self-reports of being bullied.

Table 2
Distribution of the Respondents in Terms of Sex
N= 10
Sex Frequency % Rank
Female 6 60% 1
Male 4 40% 2
Total 10 100
 The Table 2 shows respondents’ distribution according to sex. From the ten (10) respondents,

majority are females with six (6) respondents or 60% ranked number 1, followed by the males

with four (4) respondents or 40% ranked number 2.

Gender seems to have a crucial role, too. In fact, David Marks (2015) found that

underweight youths of both genders are at increased risk of peer victimization , while boys were

significantly more likely to be bullies and victims, whereas girls were only victims.

2. Bullying Experiences of the Respondents

Table 3
Distribution of the Respondents’ Bullying Experiences in terms of
Forms of Bullying
N= 10
Forms of Bullying Frequency % Rank
Verbal 8 80% 1
Physical 2 20% 2
Total 10 100

Table 3 shows that 80% of the respondents experienced verbal form of bullying, ranked

number 1 while 20% have said that they experienced physical form of bullying, ranked number 2.

Majority of the respondents have said that they are being bullied through a verbal form,

some stated that “minsan binabansagan kaming tingting, bamboo at mga masasakit na salita

tungkol sa timbang namin, madalas pagtatawanan pa kami dahil sa kalagayan namin”.

(sometimes they are name calling and teasing us as broomstick, bamboo, and other hurtful words

about our weight, they often laughed at us too because of our body condition) Meanwhile, the

other two (2) respondents have said that they are experiencing physical form of bullying, they
stated that “yung iba kong kaklase, naninipa sa paa, nampapatid, nanghahampas sa braso,

akala kasi nila porke payat kami , hindi na kami nasasaktan physically and emotionally na rin”

(some of my classmates are kicking my legs, tripping, and slapping my arms because they

thought that we are not capable of hurting physically and emotionally just because we are thin).

Individuals’ appearance affects how others treat and react to them in social contexts. If an

individual internalizes these behaviors, then that could lead to perpetration of bullying

(Kukaswadia, et al, 2011). Kukaswadia’s study helped confirm that obese males and females do

experience increases in victimization due to two major forms of bullying, relational and physical.

This study’s finding is important because the relationship between bullying may have long term

health and social consequences for children during periods throughout their lives.

Table 4
Distribution of the Respondents’ Bullying Experiences in terms of
How Often they are Being Bullied
N= 10
How Often they Frequency % Rank
are Being Bullied
2 times a week 2 20% 3
3 times a week 5 50% 1
4 times a week 3 30% 2
Total 10 100

Table 4 shows that five (5) or 50% of the ten (10) respondents are being bullied thrice a

week, ranked number 1. However, three (3) or 30% have said that they are being bullied four

times a week and the other two (2) or 20% are experiencing bullying twice a week.
 This table indicates that there is a positive correlation between a child’s weight and the rate

of bullying that they encounter because of all the negative stigmas society has. Some stated that

“kahit nananahimik ka lang sa isang tabi, magagawa ka pa rin nilang asarin lalo na kapag wala

silang magawa sa mga buhay nila” (even if you stay silent in one corner, they will still tease you

especially if they are bored and have nothing to do with their own lives).

Table 5
Distribution of the Respondents in terms of their
Bullying Experiences
Bullying Frequency % Rank
Experiences

Teased 8 80% 1

Discriminated 5 50% 2

Physical Violence 2 20% 4

Humiliated 4 40% 3

Table 5 presented the different bullying experiences that the respondents encountered, 80%

have said that they are being teased and being made fun-off, then half of the respondents

answered that they are also being discriminated and insulted because of their lack of weight.

While four (4) of them answered that they are being humiliated by other people and the other

two (2) experienced physical violence.

The National Center for Education Statistics (2011) states that in 2010-2011, 27.8% of of

students reported that they were bullied, 17.6% of those students were bullied by being “made

fun of”, called names, or insulted. 18.3% stated that they were subject of rumors, 7.9% said that

they were pushed, shoved, tripped, or spit on. Only 9% of students claimed that they were
cyberbullied, 4.4% of those underweight students claimed that it was through texting and 3.6%

claimed it was through the internet. According to those statistics, verbal and social bullying is the

most frequent and physical and cyber bullying seems to be happening less.

Similarly, it has been also described how social comparison and a history of teasing

related to body dissatisfaction and eating disturbance in students and similar results were

reported for a sample of obese adults. How such enacted stigma impacts upon an individual’s felt

stigma remains unexplored. In particular, in light of the numerous attempts at weight loss made

by the obese, the present study also aimed to explore the role that stigma plays in helping or

hindering motivations for behaviour change.

Some of the respondents said that “madalas po silang mangasar lalo na po kapag wala ng

teacher sa loob ng room namin” (they teased us more often especially when our teacher is not

around).

3. Effects of Bullying Experiences to the Respondents

Table 6

Distribution of the Respondents’ Bullying Experiences

in terms of Its Effects
Effects Frequency % Rank

Weight concerns 7 70% 1

Low self-esteem 4 40% 4

Low Academic 6 60% 2

Performance
Depressed 5 50% 3
 The Table 6 shows that out of the ten (10) respondents, majority have said that the more

they are being bullied, the more they feel conscious about their weight while six (6) of the

respondents said that their academic performance are affected because of their bullyig

experiences. Five (5) respondents answered that they feel depressed everytime they are being

bullied. However, four (4) of the respondents said that their self-esteem is decreasing.

Almost three times more than their average weight peers, underweight children were teased

more for weight related aspects of their appearance. According to Hayden Wade, (2008)

“increased frequency in chronic teasing among underweight children or adolescents makes

theoretical sense, because one of the main reinforces for peer teasing is getting a visible reaction

from the victim, and teasing about a sensitive area such as weight status is likely to get an

especially strong reaction.” . Depending on the degree of teasing a child experiences they could

also develop low self-esteem, higher weight concerns, higher preference for isolated activities,

and lower preference for active activities which in return can make them a bigger target for

bullying.

Some of them stated that “masakit po syempre lalo na kung wala ka namang ginagawang

masama sa kanila pero nagagawa nilang manghusga base lang sa itsura at timbang na meron

ang isang tao” (of course I feel hurt because I did not even do something bad to them but they

were able to judge someone base on their looks and weight). One of them also stated that

“pagkauwi ng bahay, imbes na ganahan kang magreview at gumawa ng mga assignments,

mawawalan ka ng gana sa lahat ng bagay kasi nakatatak na sa utak ko yung mga masasakit na

salitang natatanggap ko galing sa ibang tao” (everytime I got home, instead of being energized

and inspired to review and do all the home works, I feel tired of everything because of the

painful words that other people has embedded in my mind). Some also expressed that
“nakakababa ng confidence minsan kapag binubully ka nila kahit sa simpleng pang-aasar lang

kasi mahihiya ka talaga sa sarili mo eh” (it is sometimes lowering our confidence because when

they bully you , even just a simple teasing, you will feel embarassed of yourself). And one of

them stated that “kapag may nangaasar sakin tungkol sa timbang ko, nalulungkot ako kasi

nandon yung pakiramdam na mag-isa ka at pinagkakaisahan ka ng lahat” (when someone is

teasing me about my weight, I feel sad because there’s some sense of loneliness and the thought

that they are all going against you).

4. Coping Strategies of the Respondents to their Bullying Experiences

Table 7
Distribution of the Respondents’ Coping Strategies
towards their Bullying Experiences
Coping Strategies Frequency % Rank

Studying Hard 4 40% 3

Having a Healthy 7 70% 1
Diet
Bonding with 2 20% 4
family

Exercising 5 50% 2

Not giving 1 10% 5.5

attention to the
bullies
Eating sweets 1 10% 5.5
 Table 7 shows that majority of the respondents have said that one of their coping strategies

is having a proper or healthy diet, while 50% answered exercising as their way of dealing with

their bullying experiences. However, 40% are focusing more on their study than the bullies, and

20% answered family bonding as their coping strategies.

The results suggested that coping strategies of these often marginalized young people may

differ, with some of them using their intellectual capabilities, strength, and social relationships at

home to deal with those bullying experiences they encounter.

In-depth qualitative work, such as that conducted by Neumark-Sztainer (2007) with

underweight adolescents, would, in particular, provide fruitful information about these

experiences, informing those closest to these youth of their vulnerability to weight based teasing,

coping strategies, and behavioral and psychological consequences.

Therefore, majority of the respondents have said that they’d rather focused their attention in

studying than giving the bullies the satisfaction to hurt them physically and emotionally. One of

them expressed that “nasa paaralan ako upang mag-aral at matuto, hindi para ibaba ang aking

sarili para lang sa iba” (im at school to study and learn, not to let myself down for the sake of

others).
 Chapter 5

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

In this chapter, the results are discussed according to the research question that was posed to

guide the study. Besides this, conclusions and recommendations are drawn from these findings.

The importance of findings to the various stake holders is outlined.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

The analysis of the data yielded the following sets of findings based from the gathered data

from the respondents.

I. Profile of The Respondents

These present the frequency and percentage distribution according to the profile as to:

1.1.Age

Out of the ten (10) respondents, majority are in the range of 14 and 17 years old, both with

three (3) respondents or 30% followed by the age range of 13 and 18 years old, both with two (2)

respondents or 20%.

1.2. Sex

From the ten (10) respondents, majority are females with six (6) respondents or 60%,

followed by the males with four (4) respondents or 40%.

II. Bullying Experiences of the Respondents

These present the frequency and percentage distribution according to the bullying

experiences as to:

2.1. Forms of Bullying

80% of the respondents experienced verbal form of bullying, while 20% have said that they

experienced physical form of bullying.

2.2. How Often The Bullying Happened to the Respondents

Five (5) or 50% of the ten (10) respondents are being bullied thrice a week. However, three

(3) or 30% have said that they are being bullied four times a week and the other two (2) or 20%

are experiencing bullying twice a week.

2.3. Bullying Experiences

Out of the 10 respondents, 80% have said that they are being teased and being made fun-off,

then half of the respondents answered that they are also being discriminated and insulted because

of their obesity. While four (4) or 40% of them answered that they are being humiliated by other

people and the other two (2) experienced physical violence.

III. Effects of Bullying Experiences to the Respondents

Out of the ten (10) respondents, majority have said that the more they are being bullied, the

more they feel conscious about their weight while six (6) or 60% of the respondents said that

their academic performance are affected because of their bullyig experiences. Five (5) or 50% of

the respondents answered that they feel depressed everytime they are being bullied. However,

40% of the respondents said that their self-esteem is decreasing.

IV. Coping Strategies of the Respondents to their Bullying Experiences

Majority of the respondents have said that one of their coping strategies is having a proper or

healthy diet, while 50% answered exercising as their way of dealing with their bullying

experiences. However, 40% are focusing more on their study than the bullies, and 20% answered

family bonding as their coping strategies.

CONCLUSION

From the findings of the study, the following conclusions were drawn.

I. Profile of The Respondents

1.3. Age

Out of the ten respondents, three respondents were ages 14 and 17 while two of them were

ages 13 and 18.

1.4. Sex

Six of the respondents are females and four are males.

II. Bullying Experiences of the Respondents

2.4. Forms of Bullying

Eight of the respondents experienced verbal form of bullying, while two have said that they

experienced physical form of bullying.

2.5. How Often The Bullying Happened to the Respondents

Five of the ten respondents are being bullied thrice a week. However, three are being bullied

four times a week and the other two are experiencing bullying twice a week.

2.6. Bullying Experiences

Out of the tenrespondents, eight are being teased and being made fun-off, then half of the

respondents are also being discriminated and insulted because of their obesity. While four of

them are being humiliated by other people and the other two experienced physical violence.

III. Effects of Bullying Experiences to the Respondents

Out of the ten respondents, majority felt that the more they are being bullied, the more they

feel conscious about their weight while six of the respondents were affected through their

academic performance because of their bullyig experiences. Five respondents feel depressed

everytime they are being bullied. However, four of the respondents are getting low self-esteem

whenever other people bully them.

IV. Coping Strategies of the Respondents to their Bullying Experiences

Majority of the respondents have set their coping strategies like having a proper or healthy

diet, while half of the respondents are exercising as their way of dealing with their bullying

experiences. However, four are focusing more on their study than the bullies, and two of them

used their family bonding as their coping strategies.

RECOMMENDATION

The following recommendations were found based on the results of the study.
1. For the respondents, they will know how to cope up with their bullying experiences since the

study has established that underweight people are faced with challenges of being bullied.

They can build their confidence through bonding with family, studying hard, and joining

school activities that will showcase their skills.

2. For the teachers, there should be introduction of guiding and counseling curriculum to

enable all students learn how to deal with any situation that may affect their social life.

3. For the underweight individuals, they can overcome their fear of facing people by following

the listed coping strategies given in table 7 of Chapter 4.

4. For the parents, they should be able to know that they must always guide and talk to their

child about their social life and surroundings at school to prevent depression to happen.

5. For the school, they should encourage these people to participate in school activities that

will bring out their skills and talents. This suppose organization should more influence and

encourage the school policy on the equality and the rights of underweight people.

6. For the counselors, they must also create a new technique where underweight people will be

given more attention and proper counseling.

7. For the future researchers, they can dig deeper about the bullying experiences of

underweight people not only at school but also at workplace, at home and other places where

bullying an obese person can take place.