Peer Reviewed Publications

Please contact me for copies of any papers you are unable to access online.

2025

Lessard, L.M., Wu, R., Puhl, R.M., Foster, G.D., & Cardel, M.I. (2025). Adolescent experiences of weight-related communication: Sociodemographic differences and the role of parents. Pediatric Obesity, 20, e13196. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijpo.13196

2024

McCauley, P.S., Lessard, L.M., Babcock, N., Sun, N., Eaton, L.A., & Watson, R.J. (2024). Sexual and gender diverse youth reporting SOGIE-based harassment to adults at school: the roles of experienced harassment, outness, safety, and adult support at school. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 53, 669-684. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-023-01914-3

Lessard, L.M., Puhl, R.M., Foster, G.D., & Cardel, M.I. (2024). Parent-adolescent weight communication: Parental psychosocial correlates among a diverse national sample. Journal of Health Communication, 29, 167-173. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2023.2276797

Wu, R., Puhl, R.M., Lessard, L.M., Foster, G.D., & Cardel, M.I. (2024). Exploring the interplay of weight-based teasing and sociodemographic factors in adolescent weight bias internalization, Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 49, 547-558. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsae042

2023

Lessard, L.M., Puhl, R.M., Foster, G.D., & Cardel, M.I. (2023). Parental communication about body weight and adolescent health: the role of positive and negative weight-related comments. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 48, 700-706. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsad040

Puhl, R.M., Lessard, L.M., Foster, G.D., & Cardel, M.I. (2023). Parent-child communication about weight: Priorities for parental education and support. Pediatric Obesity, 18, e13027. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijpo.13027

Kaufman, T.M.L., Lessard, L.M., & Watson, R.J. (2023). The healthy context paradox in LGBTQ+ adolescents: Moderating effects of Gender- and Sexuality Alliances on associations between victimization and emotional and academic adjustment. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 33, 890-898. https://doi.org/10.1111/jora.12844

Lawrence, S.E., Lessard, L.M., Puhl, R.M., Foster, G.D., & Cardel, M.I. (2023). “Look beyond the weight and accept me”: Adolescent perspectives on parental weight communication. Body Image, 45, 11-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.01.006

Lawrence, S.E., Puhl, R.M., Watson, R.J., Schwartz, M.B., Lessard, L.M., & Foster, G.D. (2023). Family-based weight stigma and implications for psychosocial health: A multinational comparison. Obesity, 31, 1666-1677. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.23748

2022

Puhl, R.M., Lessard, L.M., Foster, G.D., & Cardel, M.I. (2022). Patient and family perspectives on terms for obesity. Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2022-058204

Lessard, L.M., & Juvonen, J. (2022). Developmental changes in the frequency and functions of school-related communication with friends and family across high school: Effects on college enrollment. Developmental Psychology, 58, 575-588. https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0001003

Lessard, L.M., Watson, R.J., Schacter, H.L., Wheldon, C.W., & Puhl, R.M. (2022). Weight enumeration in United States anti-bullying laws: Associations with rates and risks of weight-based bullying among sexual and gender minority adolescents. Journal of Public Health Policy, 43, 27-39. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41271-021-00322-w

Lessard, L.M., & Lawrence, S.E. (2022). Weight-based disparities in youth mental health: Scope, social underpinnings, and policy implications. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 9, 49-56. https://doi.org/10.1177/23727322211068018

Lessard, L.M., & Juvonen, J. (2022). The academic benefits of maintaining friendships across the transition to high school. Journal of School Psychology, 92, 136-147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2022.03.005

Puhl, R.M., Lessard, L.M., Foster, G.D., & Cardel, M.I. (2022). A comprehensive examination of the nature, frequency, and context of parental weight communication: Perspectives of parents and adolescents. Nutrients, 14, 1562. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14081562

Lessard, L.M., & Puhl, R.M. (2022). Weight-based cybervictimization: Implications for adolescent health. Pediatric Obesity. Advanced online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijpo.12888

Juvonen, J., Lessard, L.M., Kline, N.G., & Graham, S. (2022). Young adult adaptability to the social challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic: the protective role of friendships. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 51, 585-597. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-022-01573-w

2021

Lessard, L.M., & Puhl, R.M. (2021). Adolescent academic worries amidst COVID-19 and perspectives on pandemic-related changes in teacher and peer relations. School Psychology, 36, 285-292. https://doi.org/10.1037/spq0000443

Puhl, R.M., Lessard, L.M., Pearl, R.L., Grupski, A., & Foster, G.D. (2021). Policies to address weight discrimination and bullying: Perspectives of adults engaged in weight management from six nations. Obesity, 29, 1787-1798. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.23275

Lessard, L.M., Wang, E.Y., & Watson, R.J. (2021). School safety among sexual and gender minority adolescents: Implications for eating and weight control. Journal of School Health, 91, 788-795. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.13069

Lessard, L.M., & Puhl, R.M. (2021). Reducing educators’ weight bias: The role of school-based anti-bullying policies. Journal of School Health, 91, 796-801. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.13068

Lessard, L.M., & Puhl, R.M. (2021). Adolescents’ exposure to and experiences of weight stigma during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 46, 950-959. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsab071

Puhl, R.M., Lessard, L.M., Pearl, R.L., Himmelstein, M.S., & Foster, G.D. (2021). International comparisons of weight stigma: Addressing a void in the field. International Journal of Obesity, 45, 1976-1985. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-021-00860-z

Puhl, R.M., Lessard, L.M., Himmelstein, M.S., & Foster, G.D. (2021). The roles of experienced and internalized weight stigma in healthcare experiences: Perspectives of adults engaged in weight management across six countries. PLoS One, 16, e0251566. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0251566

Lessard, L.M., Puhl, R.M., Himmelstein, M.S., Pearl, R.L., & Foster, G.D. (2021). Eating and exercise-related correlates of weight stigma: A multinational investigation. Obesity, 29, 966-970. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.23168

Juvonen, J., Schacter, H.L., & Lessard, L.M. (2021). Connecting electronically with friends to cope with isolation during COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 38, 1782-1799. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407521998459

Lessard, L.M., Lawrence, S.E., & Puhl, R.M. (2021). Weight-based victimization and school performance in adolescence: Can teachers help reduce academic risks? School Psychology, 36, 69-74. https://doi.org/10.1037/spq0000371

Schacter, H.L., Lessard, L.M., Kiperman, S., Bakth, F., Ehrhardt, A., & Uganski, J. (2021). Can friendships protect against the health consequences of peer victimization in adolescence? A systematic review. School Mental Health, 13, 578-601. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-021-09417-x

Pearl, R.L., Puhl, R.M., Lessard, L.M., Himmelstein, M.S., & Foster, G.D. (2021). Prevalence and correlates of weight bias internalization in weight management: A multinational study. Social Science and Medicine - Population Health, 13, 100755. https://doi.org/10/1016/j.ssmph.2021.100755

2020

Lessard, L.M., Puhl, R.M., Larson, N., Simone, M., Eisenberg, M.E., & Neumark-Sztainer, D. (2020). Parental contributors to the prevalence and long-term health risks of family weight teasing in adolescence. Journal of Adolescent Health, 69, 74-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.09.034

Puhl, R.M., & Lessard, L.M. (2020). Weight stigma in youth: Prevalence, consequences, and considerations for clinical practice. Current Obesity Reports, 9, 402-411. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-020-00408-8

Lessard, L.M., Puhl, R.M., & Watson, R.J. (2020). Gay-straight alliances: A mechanism of health risk reduction among LGBTQ adolescents. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 59, 196-203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2020.02.020

Lessard, L.M., & Juvonen, J. (2020). Weight stigma in the school setting: The role of inclusive weight climate. Journal of School Health, 90, 507-510. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12898

Puhl, R.M., Lessard, L.M., Larson, N., Eisenberg, M.E., & Neumark-Sztainer, D. (2020). Weight stigma as a predictor of distress and maladaptive eating behaviors during COVID-19: Longitudinal findings from the EAT study. Annals of Behavioral Medicine. 54, 738-746. https://doi.org/10.1093/abm/kaaa077

Lessard, L.M., & Juvonen, J. (2020). Engagement norms buffer academic risks associated with peer rejection in middle school. International Journal of Behavioral Development. Advanced online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/0165025420915779

Lessard, L.M., Watson, R.J., & Puhl, R.M. (2020). Bias-based bullying and school adjustment among sexual and gender minority adolescents: The role of gay-straight alliances. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 49, 1094-1109. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-020-01205-1

2019

Juvonen, J., Lessard, L.M., Rastogi, R., Schacter, H.L., & Smith, D. (2019). Promoting social inclusion in educational settings: Challenges and opportunities. Educational Psychologist, 54, 250-270. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2019.1655645

Schacter, H.L., Lessard, L.M., & Juvonen, J. (2019). Peer rejection as a precursor of romantic dysfunction in adolescence: Can friendships protect? Journal of Adolescence, 77, 70-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2019.10.004

Lessard, L.M., & Juvonen., J. (2019). Cross-class friendship and academic achievement in middle school. Developmental Psychology, 55, 1666-1679. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/dev0000755

Lessard, L.M., & Juvonen., J. (2019). Body weight and academic achievement: the role of weight diversity in urban middle schools. School Psychology, 34, 253-260. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/spq0000317

2018

Lessard, L.M., Kogachi, K., & Juvonen., J. (2018). Quality and stability of cross-ethnic friendships: Effects of classroom diversity and out-of-school contact. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 48, 554-566. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-018-0964-9

Lessard, L.M., & Juvonen., J. (2018). Losing and gaining friends: Does friendship instability compromise academic functioning in middle school? Journal of School Psychology, 69, 143-153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2018.05.003

Juvonen, J., Lessard, L.M., Schacter, H.L., & Enders, C. (2018). The effects of middle school weight climate on youth with high body weight. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 29, 466-479. https://doi.org/10.1111/jora.12386

Lessard, L.M., & Juvonen., J. (2018). Friendless youth: Do perceptions of social threat account for their distress and continued friendlessness? Journal of Research on Adolescence, 28, 277-283. https://doi.org/10.1111/jora.12388

2017

Juvonen, J., Lessard, L.M., Schacter, H.L., & Suchilt, L. (2017). Emotional implications of weight stigma across middle school: The role of weight-based peer discrimination. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 46, 150-158. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2016.1188703

2015

Lessard, L., Grossman, A., & Syme, M. (2015). Effects of gender and type of praise on task performance among undergraduates. Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research, 20, 11-17.