Weight bias internalization in a commercial weight management sample: prevalence and correlates

Department of Psychological Sciences, Healthy Communities Research Institute
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  3. Weight bias internalization in a commercial weight management sample: prevalence and correlates
Author(s)
Abstract

Objective
Weight bias internalization (WBI) is associated with poor weight-related health. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence and correlates of WBI in a large sample of adults in a commercial weight management programme.

Methods
WW (the new Weight Watchers) members participated in an online survey. Participants (N = 18,769) completed the 10-item Weight Bias Internalization Scale – Modified (WBIS-M) and the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ). Participants reported details about weight-stigmatizing experiences, including the onset, frequency and distress, and interpersonal sources of weight stigma. Participants self-reported their demographics, weight history, and height and weight (to compute body mass index [BMI]).

Results
Weight bias internalization was relatively high compared with the general population (mean WBIS-M score = 4.3 ± 1.4; mean WSSQ total score = 35.2 ± 9.7). WBI was higher among participants who were female, younger and had higher BMIs (p < 0.001) and lower among those who were Black and were widowed or had a romantic partner (p < 0.001). Onset of weight stigma in childhood and young adulthood, and recent distress due to weight stigma, predicted higher WBI. Extended family and school sources of weight stigma had weaker associations with WBI than did other interpersonal sources.

Conclusions
Weight bias was internalized by a significant proportion of adults enrolled in a commercial weight management programme. A phenotype of WBI includes demographic characteristics and the timing and sources of weight stigma.
Format
Article
Identifier(s)
10.1002/osp4.354
Publication Date
2019-08
Publication Title
Obesity Science & Practice
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
5
Issue
4
First Page
342
Last Page
353
Keywords
Subject
Rights
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
License
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
Community
Department of Psychological Sciences
Healthy Communities Research Institute
Permalink https://oaks.kent.edu/hcri/weight-bias-internalization-commercial-weight-management-sample-prevalence-and-correlates
Pearl, R., Himmelstein, M., Puhl, R., Wadden, T., Wojtanowski, A., & Foster, G. (2019). Weight bias internalization in a commercial weight management sample: prevalence and correlates (1–). Obesity Science & Practice. https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.354
Pearl, Rebecca, Mary Himmelstein, Rebecca Puhl, Thomas Wadden, Alexis Wojtanowski, and Gary Foster. 2019. “Weight Bias Internalization in a Commercial Weight Management Sample: Prevalence and Correlates”. Obesity Science & Practice. https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.354.
Pearl, Rebecca, et al. Weight Bias Internalization in a Commercial Weight Management Sample: Prevalence and Correlates. Obesity Science & Practice, Aug. 2019, https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.354.