Assessment of Weight Stigma

Ruggs, Enrica N.; King, Eden B.; Hebl, Michelle R.; Fitzsimmons, Megan

doi:10.1159/000273208

Cited by 36 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Two reviews of these methods have highlighted their strengths and weaknesses, and discussed their suitability for answering various research questions [2,7]. This review provides a summary and critical evaluation of the psychometric properties of self-report weight bias questionnaires.…”

Section: Measurement Of Weight Biasmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ruggs et al [2] reviewed eight of the most popular self-report questionnaires that assess weight bias, with a focus on internal consistency reliability. Morrison et al [7] examined the internal consistency, dimensionality, and convergent validity of five of these questionnaires.…”

Section: Measurement Of Weight Biasmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A growing body of research has examined the weight-biased attitudes that may underlie stigmatizing behavior. Weight bias research has been characterized by variability in both its conceptualization and measurement [2]. Because awareness of the reliability and validity of measures is critical to gauge their usefulness and appropriateness for various purposes, a description and systematic comparison of the psychometric properties of self-report questionnaires measuring weight bias is needed to help advance knowledge in this area.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Weight Bias: A Systematic Review of Characteristics and Psychometric Properties of Self-Report Questionnaires

et al. 2017

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Background: People living with overweight and obesity often experience weight-based stigmatization. Investigations of the prevalence and correlates of weight bias and evaluation of weight bias reduction interventions depend upon psychometrically-sound measurement. Our paper is the first to comprehensively evaluate the psychometric properties, use of people-first language within items, and suitability for use with various populations of available self-report measures of weight bias. Methods: We searched five electronic databases to identify English-language self-report questionnaires of weight bias. We rated each questionnaire's psychometric properties based on initial validation reports and subsequent use, and examined item language. Results: Our systematic review identified 40 original self-report questionnaires. Most questionnaires were brief, demonstrated adequate internal consistency, and tapped key cognitive and affective dimensions of weight bias such as stereotypes and blaming. Current psychometric evidence is incomplete for many questionnaires, particularly with regard to the properties of test-retest reliability, sensitivity to change as well as discriminant and structural validity. Most questionnaires were developed prior to debate surrounding terminology preferences, and do not employ people-first language in the items administered to participants. Conclusions: We provide information and recommendations for clinicians and researchers in selecting psychometrically sound measures of weight bias for various purposes and populations, and discuss future directions to improve measurement of this construct.

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Section: Measurement Of Weight Biasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Measurement Of Weight Biasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Weight Bias: A Systematic Review of Characteristics and Psychometric Properties of Self-Report Questionnaires

et al. 2017

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“…In addition, 58 measures were quantitative measures that assessed the stigmatizer’s perspective (e.g., stigmatizing attitudes toward obese individuals). These measures were excluded because the stigmatizer’s perspective is not the focus of this review, and this literature has been recently summarized elsewhere [13]. This left 33 measures that directly assessed personal experiences of weight-based stigma and/or discrimination, including weight-related teasing.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, numerous studies have assessed prejudiced hiring practices by employers against obese employees, stigmatizing attitudes by health care providers toward obese patients, or negative stereotypes endorsed by peers and family members toward obese children and adults [1,9,10,11,12]. Ruggs and colleagues [13] suggest that research examining the stigmatizer’s perspective has dominated the literature because it is easier to conduct than assessing personal experiences of weight stigmatization among obese persons; namely, researchers can simply ask participants about their attitudes toward obese persons, or show participants images or videos of obese targets, and few (if any) obese persons are needed to conduct this research. Additionally, there is a tendency for research to initially focus on institutional and societal forms of bias, as has been seen in the case of racism, before turning its attention to the effect of perceived stigmatization on the individual.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences of Weight Stigmatization: A Review of Self-Report Assessment Measures

DePierre

Puhl²

2012

Obes Facts

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Background: Overweight and obese persons are vulnerable to frequent stigmatization and discrimination because of their weight. Despite widespread prejudice towards obese persons, many questions remain regarding the nature, extent, and impact of weight-based stigmatization experienced by so many people. However, improving our knowledge in this area will only be as good as the measures we have to study this phenomenon. Our paper is the first to provide a comprehensive summary of published quantitative self-report measures available for assessing experiences of weight stigmatization in children and adults. Methods: This review examined 22 measures of self-reported weight stigmatization and highlights the strengths and limitations of existing assessment. Results: Existing measures contain a number of limitations and have been assessed in samples lacking diversity. Improvements in measurement are needed to achieve a clearer understanding of the nature and extent of self-perceived weight stigmatization and to develop measures that accurately reflect this type of stigmatization. Conclusions: Specific directions for future research that will help improve measurement of self-perceived weight stigmatization and advance this area of study are highlighted.

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Weight bias and linguistic body representation in anorexia nervosa: Findings from the BodyTalk project

Behrens

Meneguzzo

Favaro

et al. 2020

Euro Eating Disorders Rev

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This study provides a comprehensive assessment of own body representation and linguistic representation of bodies in general in women with typical and atypical anorexia nervosa (AN). Methods: In a series of desktop experiments, participants rated a set of adjectives according to their match with a series of computer generated bodies varying in body mass index, and generated prototypic body shapes for the same set of adjectives. We analysed how body mass index of the bodies was associated with positive or negative valence of the adjectives in the different groups. Further, body image and own body perception were assessed. Results: In a German-Italian sample comprising 39 women with AN, 20 women with atypical AN and 40 age matched control participants, we observed effects indicative of weight stigmatization, but no significant differences between the groups. Generally, positive adjectives were associated with lean bodies, whereas negative adjectives were associated with obese bodies. Discussion: Our observations suggest that patients with both typical and atypical AN affectively and visually represent body descriptions not differently from healthy women. We conclude that overvaluation of low body weight and fear of weight gain cannot be explained by generally distorted perception or cognition, but require individual consideration.

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Assessment of Weight Stigma

Cited by 36 publications

References 41 publications

Weight Bias: A Systematic Review of Characteristics and Psychometric Properties of Self-Report Questionnaires

Weight Bias: A Systematic Review of Characteristics and Psychometric Properties of Self-Report Questionnaires

Experiences of Weight Stigmatization: A Review of Self-Report Assessment Measures

Weight bias and linguistic body representation in anorexia nervosa: Findings from the BodyTalk project

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