Internalizing Weight Stigma: Prevalence and Sociodemographic Considerations in US Adults

Abstract

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.

The role of weight stigma in parental weight talk

“…It is important to note that mean WBIS‐M score in this sample ( M = 2.91) was lower than similar general population samples, which typically range from 3.27 to 3.95 . Despite these lower levels of internalized weight bias in our sample, we found significant positive relationships between internalized weight bias and frequency of child‐centred weight conversations and parental weight comments.…”

“…These experiences are associated with maladaptive eating behaviours, decreased physical activity, depression, low self‐esteem, and body dissatisfaction . Furthermore, weight stigma can also be internalized, which involves applying negative weight‐based stereotypes to themselves and blaming themselves for their own weight status—a construct known as weight bias internalization . Thus, while experienced weight stigma refers to weight‐based prejudice, stereotyping, and unfair treatment that people confront in extrinsic situations (such as being stereotyped or treated unfairly in the workplace or by peers), weight bias internalization involves directing stigma inwardly on to oneself; an intrinsic process of self‐stigma in that people apply negative weight‐based stereotypes to themselves .…”

Sociocultural and Familial Factors Associated with Weight Bias Internalization

“…WBI is highly prevalent and consistently associated with negative mental and physical health outcomes [3,9], yet little research has examined sociocultural and familial factors associated with this form of self-stigma. The current study evaluated the roles of interpersonal sources of weight stigma and family weight history in accounting for WBI.…”

“…Recent estimates suggest that approximately 40% of US adults with overweight and obesity internalize weight bias to some degree [9]. Little is known about why some individuals with obesity internalize weight bias while others do not.…”

“…Little is known about why some individuals with obesity internalize weight bias while others do not. People who report direct experiences with weight stigma (e.g., discrimination or teasing/bullying), as compared to those who do not, have higher levels of WBI [6,9], and research suggests that the cognitive interpretation of these experiences contributes to WBI [10]. Persons with certain demographic characteristics - namely white women - also seem more likely than others to internalize weight bias [7,9,11].…”