Internalized Weight Bias in Weight-Loss Surgery Patients: Psychosocial Correlates and Weight Loss Outcomes

Lent, Michelle R.; Napolitano, Melissa A.; Wood, G. Craig; Argyropoulos, George; Gerhard, Glenn S.; Hayes, Sharon; Foster, Gary D.; Collins, Charlotte; Still, Christopher D.

doi:10.1007/s11695-014-1455-z

Cited by 49 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Compared with previous research, the mean level of WBI in sample 1 ( M = 4.72) was similar to treatment‐seeking samples of adults with obesity ( M = 4.6) , binge eating disorder ( M = 4.75) , and bariatric surgery candidates ( M = 4.54) but higher than the mean level of WBI observed in a recent study of adults with obesity enrolled in a weight loss trial ( M = 3.6) . Because of the lack of previous research assessing WBI in general population samples, it is difficult to compare the mean WBIS‐M scores observed in samples 2 ( M = 3.31) and 3 ( M = 3.36) with similarly diverse populations.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 49%

Internalizing Weight Stigma: Prevalence and Sociodemographic Considerations in US Adults

Puhl

Himmelstein

Quinn

2017

Obesity

189

198

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Objective: This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the presence, severity, and sociodemographic correlates of weight bias internalization (WBI) across three distinct samples of US adults. Methods: Levels of WBI were compared in (1) a sample of adults with obesity and heightened risk of weight stigma (N 5 456), (2) an online community sample (N 5 519), and (3) a national online panel (N 5 2,529). Samples 2 and 3 comprised adults with and without obesity. Participants completed identical self-report measures, including demographic variables and weight-related factors, to determine their relationship with low, mean, and high levels of WBI. Results: At least 44% of adults across samples endorsed mean levels of WBI (as determined by sample 3). The highest levels of WBI were endorsed by approximately one in five adults in the general population samples and by 52% in the sample of adults with obesity. Individuals with the highest WBI were white, had less education and income, were currently trying to lose weight, and had higher BMIs, higher selfperceived weight, and previous experiences of weight stigma (especially teasing). Conclusions: Internalized weight bias is prevalent among women and men and across body weight categories. Findings provide a foundation to better understand characteristics of individuals who are at risk for internalizing weight bias.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 49%

Internalizing Weight Stigma: Prevalence and Sociodemographic Considerations in US Adults

Puhl

Himmelstein

Quinn

2017

Obesity

189

198

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“…Under a theoretical point of view, our findings seem to suggest that internalizing experiences of weight-based stigma could increase the likelihood of disordered eating patterns and demotivate obese people from engaging in weight loss treatment ). This consideration is also supported by results from Lent et al's (2014) study investigating the predictive role of internalized WB on weight loss after bariatric surgery. Furthermore, our results are concordant with when they stated that: BGiven that internalized and implicit weight biases were related to body image disturbance and binge eating, it is plausible that greater implicit or internalized disdain for obesity might fuel both eating and body image disturbance^ (Carels et al 2010, page 184) We must consider our results in light of some issues inherent in the design of the study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

Weight Bias Internalization Scale Discriminates Obese and Overweight Patients with Different Severity Levels of Depression: the Italian Version of the WBIS

et al. 2016

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We have investigated the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the weight bias internalization scale (WBIS) in overweight and obese patients who were attending weight loss programs. Participants were 386 overweight and obese patients admitted in two medical centers specializing in the treatment of obesity. All the patients were administered the WBIS, and measures of binge eating, depression, self-esteem, and body dissatisfaction. Confirmatory factor analysis failed to confirm the fit of the original 11-item unidimensional model. Item analysis and exploratory factor analysis indicated that 9 items included in the original measure (the items 1 and 9 were excluded because low item-total correlations) formed a reliable unidimensional measure of internalized weight bias (WBIS-9). The WBIS-9 was significantly correlated with convergent measures and was able to categorize individuals with different severity levels of depression (sensitivity of 0.72 and specificity of 0.70). The WBIS-9 may be useful in clinical practice to discriminate patients with more severe psychopathology, comorbid disordered eating patterns, and risk for poor outcomes.

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“…Links between depressive symptoms and WBI have been examined in 30 studies . WBI was significantly and positively associated with depressive symptoms in 28 of the 30 studies; only two did not find a significant association .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weight bias internalization and health: a systematic review

2018

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A robust literature has documented the negative health effects of being the target of weight bias. Weight bias internalization (WBI) occurs when individuals apply negative weight stereotypes to themselves and self-derogate because of their body weight. Compared with experiences of weight bias, less is known about the relationship between WBI and mental and physical health, although more literature on this topic has emerged in recent years. The current systematic review identified 74 studies assessing the relationship between WBI and health and interventions designed to reduce WBI and improve health. Over half of identified studies were published from 2016 to 2017. Results showed strong, negative relationships between WBI and mental health outcomes. Fewer studies have examined the relationship between WBI and physical health, and results were less consistent. Key directions for future research are highlighted, including the need for prospective and experimental studies with greater sample diversity.

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Internalized Weight Bias in Weight-Loss Surgery Patients: Psychosocial Correlates and Weight Loss Outcomes

Abstract: Greater internalized weight bias was associated with more depressive symptoms before surgery and less weight loss 1 year after surgery.

Cited by 49 publications

References 18 publications

Internalizing Weight Stigma: Prevalence and Sociodemographic Considerations in US Adults

Internalizing Weight Stigma: Prevalence and Sociodemographic Considerations in US Adults

Weight Bias Internalization Scale Discriminates Obese and Overweight Patients with Different Severity Levels of Depression: the Italian Version of the WBIS

Weight bias internalization and health: a systematic review

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