Children who are teased or bullied during PE classes are less likely to participate in physical activities 12 months later, a new study has found.

According to US researchers, this applies to normal-weight children as well as overweight or obese children.

The study focused on the potential link between bullying and physical activity over time. The researchers followed the progress of children aged between nine and 12, who were attending six different schools, over a one-year period.

The children completed three surveys at the start of the study and the same three surveys one year later. The surveys covered issues such as health, activities, emotional wellbeing, teasing experiences during physical activities and bullying.

Specifically the survey looked at situations such as being made fun of while exercising and not being chosen for team sports.

The study found that overweight or obese children who were teased or bullied during activities, were less likely to exercise and had a lower health-related quality of life one year later.

"Overweight kids who were teased reported poorer functional ability across domains (physical, social and academic). If we can help them to have a better perception of their physical and social skills, then physical activity may increase and health-related quality is likely to improve," commented Prof Chad Jensen of Brigham Young University.

However, he noted that even normal-weight children who were teased or bullied during activities tended to be less active one year later.

"Our finding that this applies to normal-weight kids also was novel," he said.

He added that he hoped this study would raise awareness of this issue.

Details of these findings are published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology.