Sociocultural and Familial Factors Associated with Weight Bias Internalization

Overview

Journal Obes Facts

Publisher Karger

Specialty Endocrinology

Date 2018 Apr 16

PMID 29656285

Citations 15

Authors

Rebecca L Pearl

Thomas A Wadden

Jena Shaw Tronieri

Ariana M Chao

Naji Alamuddin

Zayna M Bakizada

Emilie Pinkasavage

Robert I Berkowitz

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background/aims: Sociocultural and familial factors associated with weight bias internalization (WBI) are currently unknown. The present study explored the relationship between interpersonal sources of weight stigma, family weight history, and WBI.

Methods: Participants with obesity (N = 178, 87.6% female, 71.3% black) completed questionnaires that assessed the frequency with which they experienced weight stigma from various interpersonal sources. Participants also reported the weight status of their family members and completed measures of WBI, depression, and demographics. Participant height and weight were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI).

Results: Linear regression results (controlling for demographics, BMI, and depression) showed that stigmatizing experiences from family and work predicted greater WBI. Experiencing weight stigma at work was associated with WBI above and beyond the effects of other sources of stigma. Participants who reported higher BMIs for their mothers had lower levels of WBI.

Conclusion: Experiencing weight stigma from family and at work may heighten WBI, while having a mother with a higher BMI may be a protective factor against WBI. Prospective research is needed to understand WBI's developmental course and identify mechanisms that increase or mitigate its risk.

Citing Articles

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'Beyond the Scale': A Qualitative Exploration of the Impact of Weight Stigma Experienced by Patients With Obesity in General Practice.

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Demographic, socioeconomic and life-course risk factors for internalized weight stigma in adulthood: evidence from an English birth cohort study.

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Weight stigma in healthcare settings: the experience of Arab and Jewish bariatric surgery candidates in Israel.

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Prevalence of diagnosed psychiatric disorders among adults who have experienced and internalized weight stigma.

Pearl R, Hernandez M, Bach C, Groshon L, Wadden T Obes Sci Pract. 2023; 9(6):681-687.

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