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Internalized weight stigma moderates eating behaviour outcomes in high BMI women participating in a healthy living program

Mensinger, Janell, Calogero, Rachel M., Tylka, Tracy L. (2016) Internalized weight stigma moderates eating behaviour outcomes in high BMI women participating in a healthy living program. Appetite, 102 . pp. 32-43. ISSN 0195-6663. (doi:10.1016/j.appet.2016.01.033) (KAR id:54296)

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Abstract

Weight stigma is a significant socio-structural barrier to reducing health disparities and improving quality of life for higher weight individuals. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of internalized weight stigma on eating behaviors after participating in a randomized controlled trial comparing the health benefits of a weight-neutral program to a conventional weight-management program for 80 community women with high body mass index (BMI > 30, age range: 30–45). Programs involved 6 months of facilitator-guided weekly group meetings using structured manuals. Assessments occurred at baseline, post-intervention (6 months), and 24-months post-randomization. Eating behavior outcome measurements included the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire and the Intuitive Eating Scale. Intention-to-treat linear mixed models were used to test for higher-order interactions between internalized weight stigma, group, and time. Findings revealed significant 3-way and 2-way interactions between internalized weight stigma, group, and time for disordered and adaptive eating behaviors, respectively. Only weight-neutral program participants with low internalized weight stigma improved global disordered eating scores. Participants from both programs with low internalized weight stigma improved adaptive eating at 6 months, but only weight-neutral program participants maintained changes at follow-up. Participants with high internalized weight stigma demonstrated no changes in disordered and adaptive eating, regardless of program. In order to enhance the overall benefit from weight-neutral approaches, these findings underscore the need to incorporate more innovative and direct methods to reduce internalized weight stigma for women with high BMI.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.appet.2016.01.033
Uncontrolled keywords: Internalized weight stigma; Disordered eating; Intuitive eating; Obesity; Health at every size; Conventional weight-management
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Rachel Calogero
Date Deposited: 27 Feb 2016 21:17 UTC
Last Modified: 04 Jul 2023 12:48 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/54296 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Calogero, Rachel M..

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