Objective Weight stigma is a chronic stressor that may increase cardiometabolic risk. Some individuals with obesity self-stigmatize (i.e., weight bias internalization; WBI). No study to date has examined whether WBI is associated with metabolic syndrome. Methods Blood pressure, waist circumference, and fasting glucose, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol were measured at baseline in 178 adults with obesity enrolled in a weight-loss trial. Medication use for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and pre-diabetes was included in criteria for metabolic syndrome. One hundred fifty-nine participants (88.1% female, 67.3% black, mean BMI=41.1kg/m2) completed the Weight Bias Internalization Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9, to assess depressive symptoms). Odds ratios and partial correlations were calculated adjusting for demographics, BMI, and PHQ-9 scores. Results Fifty-one participants (32.1%) met criteria for metabolic syndrome. Odds of meeting criteria for metabolic syndrome were greater among participants with higher WBI, but not when controlling for all covariates (OR=1.46, 95% CI=1.00–2.13, P=.052). Higher WBI predicted greater odds of having high triglycerides (OR=1.88, 95% CI=1.14–3.09, P=0.043). Analyzed categorically, high (versus low) WBI predicted greater odds of metabolic syndrome and high triglycerides (Ps<.05). Conclusions Individuals with obesity who self-stigmatize may have heightened cardiometabolic risk. Biological and behavioral pathways linking WBI and metabolic syndrome require further exploration.

To examine the relationship between food cravings and food addiction as defined by the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) and to assess the effects of these variables on weight loss during a 14-week group lifestyle modification program. Data were from 178 participants who were prescribed a 1000-1200 kcal/day portion-controlled diet and provided with weekly group lifestyle modification sessions. Participants completed the Food Craving Inventory and YFAS pre- and post-treatment. Weight was measured weekly. Participants with YFAS-defined food addiction (6.7%) reported more frequent overall food cravings relative to those without food addiction. More frequent food cravings at baseline were associated with less weight loss over the 14 weeks. Analyzed categorically, participants in the highest tertile of baseline food cravings lost 7.6 ± 0.5% of initial weight, which was significantly less compared to those in the lowest tertile who lost 9.1 ± 0.5%. Percent weight loss did not differ significantly between participants with YFAS-defined food addiction (6.5 ± 1.2%) and those who did not meet criteria (8.6 ± 0.3%). Addictive-like eating behaviors significantly declined from pre- to post-treatment. Participants with frequent food cravings lost less weight than their peers. Targeted interventions for food cravings could improve weight loss in these individuals. Few participants met YFAS-defined criteria for food addiction. Addictive-like eating behaviors tended to decline during behavioral weight loss, but neither baseline nor change in YFAS scores predicted weight loss.

Objective-Improving the maintenance of lost weight remains a critical challenge, which can be addressed by long-term behavioral and/or pharmacological interventions.Methods-This study investigated the efficacy of combined behavioral and pharmacological treatment in facilitating weight loss maintenance (WLM) in 137 adults (86.1% female, 68.6% black, BMI=37.0±5.6 kg/m 2 ) who had lost ≥5% of initial weight during a 14-week, low-calorie diet (LCD) program (mean=9.3±2.9%). Participants were randomly assigned to lorcaserin (10 mg BID) or placebo and provided 16 group WLM counseling sessions over 52 weeks.Results-At 24 weeks post-randomization, more lorcaserin-than placebo-treated participants maintained ≥5% loss (73.9% vs 57.4%; p=.033), and the former participants lost an additional 2.4±0.8 kg versus a 0.6±0.8 kg gain for placebo (p=.010). However, at week 52, groups did not differ on either co-primary outcome; 55.1% and 42.6%, respectively, maintained ≥5% loss (p=0.110), with gains from randomization of 2.0±0.8 and 2.5±0.8 kg (p=0.630), respectively. From the start of the LCD, groups maintained reductions of 7.8% and 6.6%, respectively (p=0.318).Conclusion-Combined behavioral-pharmacologic treatment produced clinically meaningful long-term weight loss in this group of predominantly black participants. Lorcaserin initially improved upon weight loss achieved with WLM counseling, but this advantage was not maintained at 1 year.

Background/Aims: Sociocultural and familial factors associated with weight bias internalization (WBI) are currently unknown. The present study explored the relationship between interpersonal sources of weight stigma, family weight history, and WBI. Methods: Participants with obesity (N = 178, 87.6% female, 71.3% black) completed questionnaires that assessed the frequency with which they experienced weight stigma from various interpersonal sources. Participants also reported the weight status of their family members and completed measures of WBI, depression, and demographics. Participant height and weight were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI). Results: Linear regression results (controlling for demographics, BMI, and depression) showed that stigmatizing experiences from family and work predicted greater WBI. Experiencing weight stigma at work was associated with WBI above and beyond the effects of other sources of stigma. Participants who reported higher BMIs for their mothers had lower levels of WBI. Conclusion: Experiencing weight stigma from family and at work may heighten WBI, while having a mother with a higher BMI may be a protective factor against WBI. Prospective research is needed to understand WBI's developmental course and identify mechanisms that increase or mitigate its risk.

ObjectiveAutomated physical activity (PA) monitoring technology and associated social networks have potential to address barriers to PA, but have rarely been tested for PA promotion. This technology may be especially beneficial for women, who experience particular barriers to health-based social networking. The present study tested the feasibility and acceptability of pairing women as PA partners via technology-connected social networking. Social comparison (i.e. tendency to make self-evaluations relative to others) was examined as a mechanism of interest.MethodOverweight women (n = 12, Mage = 46, MBMI = 32.60 kg/m2) used a PA sensor (daily wear = 93%) and communicated with an assigned partner (introduced via technology-connected social networking) for four weeks. Partners did not know one another prior to study enrollment.ResultsPA meaningfully increased during the program, and was highest among participants who endorsed stronger (vs. weaker) tendencies toward social comparisons (r = 0.64). Participants identified several benefits of partner communication; however, some partners had difficulty initiating communication, and direct comparisons with partners were seen as unhelpful in this context. Most participants found the PA sensor beneficial, showed high compliance with daily wear recommendations, and reported an intent to continue using the PA sensor. Participants endorsed satisfaction with the program's approach and confidence in maintaining PA gains.ConclusionsThese findings support the use of automated PA sensors and facilitated partner communication via social networking to promote PA among women. Insights from participant feedback identify specific avenues for program improvement; specifically, with respect to the potential difficulties of negative social comparisons.