To weigh or not to weigh: The relationship between self-weighing behavior and body image among adults

Klos, Lori A.; Esser, Valerie E.; Kessler, Molly M.

doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2012.07.004

Cited by 27 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…An increase in endorsement of frequent self-weighing was associated with a decrease in self-esteem and body satisfaction, and an increase in weight concern and depression in female participants and an increase in weight concern in male participants. Corroborating these findings, studies using different nonclinical samples of adolescents/young adults have found a relationship between self-weighing and lower self-esteem (6), body satisfaction/weight concern (9), and higher depression (6) and disordered eating score (25). However, others have not found evidence for the aforementioned relationships (26,27).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…The only consistent relationship across gender was between self-weighing and weight concern. Similarly, Klos and colleagues (2012) found a cross-sectional relationship between self-weighing and the weight concern subscale of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire in both female participants and male participants; however, this relationship was no longer significant when controlling for BMI (9). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Two cross-sectional studies found associations between self-weighing and less chance of weight regain in adolescents (7,8), but for current weight, findings have been mixed. In one study, self-weighing was positively associated with body mass index (BMI) (9), while two others found no relationship (10,11), and one study found an inverse association (8). Two longitudinal studies also reported inconsistent results: self-weighing frequency was positively associated with prospective weight gain in one study (12), but in another study, no association was found (10).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Two longitudinal studies also reported inconsistent results: self-weighing frequency was positively associated with prospective weight gain in one study (12), but in another study, no association was found (10). Regarding well-being, self-weighing has been found to be associated with higher depressive symptomology, lower self-esteem, and lower body satisfaction, with some differences across gender (9,11,13). Considering behaviors, self-weighing has been found to be associated with both healthy (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Self-Weighing Throughout Adolescence and Young Adulthood: Implications for Well-Being

Pacanowski

Loth

Hannan

et al. 2015

Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior

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Objective This paper describes the prevalence of self-weighing in the transition period from adolescence to young adulthood and examines cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between self-weighing and weight status, psychological, and behavioral outcomes. Design Project EAT (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults), a longitudinal cohort study that assessed variables 3 times over 10 years. Participants 1,868 adolescents and young adults. Main Outcome Measures weight, BMI, weight disparity, body satisfaction, weight concern, self-esteem, depression and unhealthy weight control behaviors. Analysis cross-sectional and longitudinal. Results Significant positive correlations were found at each time point between self-weighing and weight concern for both genders. Self-weighing was significantly inversely related to self-esteem at each time point in female participants. Increases in endorsement of self-weighing were significantly related to decreases in body satisfaction and self-esteem and increases in weight concern and depression in female participants; and increases in weight concern in male participants. Conclusions and Implications Findings suggest that self-weighing may not be an innocuous behavior for young people, particularly women. Interventions should assess potential harmful consequences of self-weighing in addition to any potential benefits. It may be appropriate for clinicians to ask about self-weighing, and if frequent, explore motivations, perceived benefits, and potential adverse correlates or consequences.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Self-Weighing Throughout Adolescence and Young Adulthood: Implications for Well-Being

Pacanowski

Loth

Hannan

et al. 2015

Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…2–5 Adoption of this behavior remains limited, however, because of concerns regarding adverse psychological consequences. 6–8 A recent review showed that frequent self-weighing is not associated with negative mood or body dissatisfaction among treatment-seeking overweight and obese adults. 9 Most studies, however, were conducted post hoc, 4,10 and of the limited experimental evidence, most tested high-intensity, multicomponent interventions, 11,12 which might mitigate any negative effects of daily weighing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Daily Self-Weighing and Adverse Psychological Outcomes

Steinberg

Tate

Bennett

et al. 2014

American Journal of Preventive Medicine

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Background Despite evidence that daily weighing is an effective strategy for weight control, concerns remain regarding the potential for negative psychological consequences. Purpose The goal of the study was to examine the impact of a daily self-weighing weight loss intervention on relevant psychological constructs. Design A 6-month RCT. Setting/participants The study sample (N=91) included overweight men and women in the Chapel Hill NC area. Intervention Between February and August 2011, participants were randomly assigned to a daily self-weighing intervention or delayed intervention control group. The 6-month intervention included daily weighing for self-regulation of diet and exercise behaviors using an e-scale that transmitted weights to a study website. Weekly e-mailed lessons and tailored feedback on daily self-weighing adherence and weight loss progress were provided. Main outcome measures Self-weighing frequency was measured throughout the study using e-scales. Weight was measured in-clinic at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Psychological outcomes were assessed via self-report at the same time points. Results In 2012, using linear mixed models, there were no significant differences between groups in depressive symptoms, anorectic cognitions, disinhibition, susceptibility to hunger, and binge eating. At 6 months, there was a significant group × time interaction for body dissatisfaction (p=0.007) and dietary restraint (p<0.001) with the intervention group reporting lower body dissatisfaction and greater dietary restraint compared to controls. Conclusions Results indicate that a weight loss intervention that focuses on daily self-weighing does not cause adverse psychological outcomes. This suggests that daily weighing is an effective and safe weight-control strategy among overweight adults attempting to lose weight.

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The open versus blind weight conundrum: Amultisiterandomized controlled trial across multiple levels of patient care for anorexia nervosa

Murray

Levinson

Farrell

et al. 2020

Intl J Eating Disorders

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Objective: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a disorder characterized by a profound fear of weight gain, resulting in significant weight loss, as well as behavioral symptoms that interfere with weight normalization. In concert, weight gain remains a proximal goal of treatment, and patient weighing is a critical component of treatment. However, divergent approaches exist in how patient weighing is undertaken in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of a brief course of open weighing (sharing weight data with patients) versus blind weighing (not sharing weight data with patients) on distress around being weighed and AN symptom severity. Method: 216 patients with AN and atypical AN will be randomized to receive 4 weeks of open or blind weighing practices across residential, intensive outpatient, and outpatient treatment settings, within the context of manualized empirically supported treatment. Following 4 weeks of open or blind weighing, all patients will be enrolled into open weighing practices. Primary outcomes of interest will be patient-reported distress around being weighed at week 5 and eating disorder symptom severity at week 5. Secondary outcomes will assess weight prediction error, intolerance of uncertainty, and the fear of food. Discussion: No best practice guidelines exist in determining optimal practices around weighing patients with AN. This multisite randomized controlled trial will provide the first known data on the impact of open versus blind weighing practices upon weightrelated distress and AN symptom severity.

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To weigh or not to weigh: The relationship between self-weighing behavior and body image among adults

Cited by 27 publications

References 21 publications

Self-Weighing Throughout Adolescence and Young Adulthood: Implications for Well-Being

Self-Weighing Throughout Adolescence and Young Adulthood: Implications for Well-Being

Daily Self-Weighing and Adverse Psychological Outcomes

The open versus blind weight conundrum: Amultisiterandomized controlled trial across multiple levels of patient care for anorexia nervosa

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