SummaryIntroductionIndividuals with overweight or obesity often experience stigmatizing weight‐related interactions in health care, though how these experiences are associated with body mass index (BMI) and eating behaviour is unknown. This study had three aims: (a) characterize types and frequency of stigmatizing health care experiences, (b) assess relationships among BMI, eating behaviour, and stigmatizing experiences, and (c) examine whether internalized weight stigma mediates the relationship between stigmatizing experiences, weight, and eating behaviour.MethodsAdults (N = 85) enrolled in behavioural weight loss completed measures of stigmatizing health care experiences, weight bias internalization, eating behaviours, and BMI. Cross‐sectional correlational and mediational analyses were conducted.ResultsThe majority (70.6%) of participants reported at least one stigmatizing health care experience in the past year. Greater amounts of stigmatizing experiences were associated with higher BMI (r = 0.32, P < .01) and greater uncontrolled (r = 0.22, P = .04) and emotional eating (r = 0.28, P < .01). Internalized weight stigma significantly mediated the relationship between stigmatizing experiences and maladaptive eating.ConclusionExperiences of health care weight stigma were associated with eating behaviour and BMI. Participants with a higher BMI or greater maladaptive eating behaviours may be more susceptible to stigmatizing experiences. Reducing internalized weight stigma and health care provider stigma may improve patient health outcomes.

Objective The present study aimed to investigate the factor structure of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE‐Q) in a large sample of cisgender sexual minority men and women, and subsequently, to evaluate measurement invariance by gender. Method The sample consisted of 962 sexual minority adult men (n = 479) and women (n = 483) who completed online self‐report surveys. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted using two previously supported factor structures (Friborg et al.'s four‐factor model and Grilo et al.'s brief three‐factor model) as well as the original four‐factor structure of the EDE‐Q. Results Results indicated that the best fitting models were Friborg et al.'s four‐factor model (CFI = .974, RMSEA = .098, SRMR = .0 70) and Grilo et al.'s brief three‐factor model (CFI = .999, RMSEA = .049, SRMR = .017). The model fit of both factor structures were nearly identical when examined separately for men and women. The original four‐factor structure could not be supported in this sample. Measurement invariance analyses further indicated that the best fitting models were invariant by gender in sexual minority individuals. Internal consistency was adequate for all subscales of Friborg et al.'s and Grilo et al.'s models. Discussion The present study provides support for the use of the EDE‐Q in sexual minority men and women. Additionally, findings demonstrate that the EDE‐Q performs similarly in sexual minority men and women. Future research is needed to further evaluate measurement invariance of the EDE‐Q by sexual orientation, gender identity, and race.

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