The relationship between weight bias internalization and healthy and unhealthy weight control behaviours. 2022

Matthew Levy, and Lisa Kakinami, and Angela S Alberga
Department of Health, Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St West, SP 165.31, Montreal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada.

OBJECTIVE Weight bias internalization (WBI) is associated with disordered eating symptomology and motivation to control weight. The relationship between WBI and specific weight control behaviours and how these behaviours differ between men and women is not well understood. The objectives of this study are to determine (1) the relationship between WBI and weight control behaviours, (2) whether weight perception is independently associated with weight control behaviours, and (3) whether these relationships differ between men and women. METHODS Canadian adults (N = 161; 52.8% women; body mass index [BMI] = 26.5 ± 4.99 kg/m2) completed questionnaires pertaining to WBI, weight control behaviours (healthy, unhealthy, extreme) and weight perception (accurate, under-, or over-estimation compared with objectively measured BMI). The cross-sectional relationship between (1) WBI or (2) weight perception with the total number of healthy and unhealthy or extreme weight control behaviours, and likelihood of performing specific weight control behaviours were assessed with linear, and logistic regression models, respectively. All analyses were conducted adjusting for age, gender, and race. Subsequent analyses were stratified by sex. RESULTS WBI was associated with an increased likelihood of performing exercise for weight loss (OR 2.28, p < 0.05); increased likelihood of skipping meals in women (OR 2.57, p < 0.01), and consuming little amounts of food and food substitutes in men (OR 2.28, p < 0.01 and OR 2.17, p < 0.05, respectively). Weight perception was not associated with weight control behaviours. CONCLUSIONS WBI was associated with various weight control behaviours. This study highlights the importance of assessing WBI in clinical practice with patients seeking to manage their weight. Future longitudinal research should be conducted to further understand the behavioural and health effects from WBI. METHODS Cross-sectional descriptive study.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009765 Obesity A status with BODY WEIGHT that is grossly above the recommended standards, usually due to accumulation of excess FATS in the body. The standards may vary with age, sex, genetic or cultural background. In the BODY MASS INDEX, a BMI greater than 30.0 kg/m2 is considered obese, and a BMI greater than 40.0 kg/m2 is considered morbidly obese (MORBID OBESITY).
D001835 Body Weight The mass or quantity of heaviness of an individual. It is expressed by units of pounds or kilograms. Body Weights,Weight, Body,Weights, Body
D002170 Canada The largest country in North America, comprising 10 provinces and three territories. Its capital is Ottawa.
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000079322 Weight Prejudice Negative attitudes towards and beliefs about others because of their weight. These negative attitudes are manifested by stereotypes and/or prejudice towards people with weight over or under a cultural norm. Anti-Fat Bias,Fat Bias,Fat Phobia,Fatphobia,Weight Bias,Weight Stigma,Weight-Based Discrimination,Fat Shaming,Obesity Bias,Anti Fat Bias,Bias, Anti-Fat,Bias, Fat,Bias, Obesity,Bias, Weight,Discrimination, Weight-Based,Discriminations, Weight-Based,Fat Phobias,Fatphobias,Phobia, Fat,Phobias, Fat,Prejudice, Weight,Shaming, Fat,Stigma, Weight,Weight Based Discrimination,Weight Stigmas,Weight-Based Discriminations
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D015438 Health Behavior Combination of HEALTH KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, PRACTICE which underlie actions taken by individuals regarding their health. Health-Related Behavior,Behavior, Health,Behavior, Health-Related,Behaviors, Health,Behaviors, Health-Related,Health Behaviors,Health Related Behavior,Health-Related Behaviors

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