Childhood bullying has serious, enduring effect on physical health

Childhood bullying can have a serious and enduring effect on physical health, according to a recent King's College study in UK.

The study is based on data from more than 7,000 men and women born in a single week in 1958. Between age 7 and 11, 28 percent of them were bullied occasionally; 15 percent were bullied frequently. The children were then followed up at age 45, when measures of blood inflammation and obesity were recorded.

Researchers found that just 26 percent of women who were bullied as children were obese at age 45, compared to 19 percent of those who had never been bullied.

Besides, 20 percent of the victims had raised levels of a blood inflammation marker called C-reactive protein (CRP), which increases the risk of heart disease as a result of clogged arteries.

Louise Arseneault, who led the research, said that the bullied in childhood did get under the child’s skin. “We should move away from the misconception that bullying is part of normal growing up and that it is acceptable.”

The Department for Education in UK said all schools are required by law to have a bullying policy aimed at preventing bullying among pupils. Financial support is provided to a range of anti-bullying organizations to help schools tackle the problem.