Obesity‐associated stigma and physiological markers of stress: evidence from the Dominican Republic

Bench, Kara Keating

doi:10.1002/smi.1243

Cited by 18 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Our findings support previous research in adults linking weight-related dissatisfaction and stigma to indices of health, such as nondiabetic glycemic control [5], increased endogenous cortisol secretion [4], and blood pressure [38]. Accordingly, it has been proposed that body dissatisfaction and weight-related stress may partially account for the pathophysiology of obesity[6].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Pressure To Be Thin and Insulin Sensitivity Among Adolescents

Schvey¹,

Shomaker²,

Kelly

et al. 2016

Journal of Adolescent Health

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Purpose Extant research indicates that some of the comorbidities associated with adult obesity may be adversely affected by the stress resulting from negative body image and weight-related teasing. This study examined the association between weight-related pressure and insulin sensitivity in adolescents, who are vulnerable to both weight-based teasing and the onset of metabolic dysregulation. Methods Participants were 215 adolescent healthy volunteers (55% female; 59% White; 35% overweight/obese; M±SD age = 15.4±1.4y), who completed a self-report measure of pressure to be thin from parents, friends, and romantic partners. Fasting blood samples were obtained to assess serum insulin and glucose, which were used to calculate insulin sensitivity; fat mass (kg) and fat-free mass (%) were measured with air displacement plethysmography. Pubertal stage was determined by physical examination. Results Pressure to be thin was positively associated with fasting insulin (p = .01) and negatively associated with insulin sensitivity (p = .02), after controlling for pubertal stage, sex, race, height, fat-free mass, and adiposity. Pressure to be thin was associated with a greater odds of having hyperinsulinemia (fasting insulin ≥ 15 µIU/mL; Odds Ratio (95% CI): 1.65 (1.08–2.50), p = .02), adjusting for the same covariates. Conclusions Results indicate that adolescents perceiving more pressure to be thin have greater elevations of fasting insulin and poorer insulin sensitivity above and beyond the effect of fat mass. Future research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for this relationship.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Pressure To Be Thin and Insulin Sensitivity Among Adolescents

Schvey¹,

Shomaker²,

Kelly

et al. 2016

Journal of Adolescent Health

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“…We were particularly interested in considering whether any observed associations between obesity and impairment in HRQoL would still be apparent after controlling for the occurrence of those chronic medical conditions known to be associated with obesity and with physical and mental health impairment. We also wanted to test whether the health impairments associated with obesity are more closely associated with the psychological sequelae of being overweight in a stigmatizing society, than with body weight itself [23-25]. Therefore, the present cross-sectional study examined the association between IWB and HRQoL, while controlling for body mass index, as well as age and medical comorbidity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health and health-related quality of life among treatment-seeking overweight and obese adults: associations with internalized weight bias

2013

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BackgroundWeight bias is widespread and has numerous harmful consequences. The internalization of weight bias has been associated with significant psychological impairment. Other forms of discrimination, such as racial and anti-gay bias, have been shown to be associated with physical health impairment. However, research has not yet examined whether internalized weight bias is associated with physical as well as psychological impairment in health-related quality of life.MethodsParticipants included 120 treatment-seeking overweight and obese adults (mean body mass index = 35.09; mean age = 48.31; 68% female; 59% mixed or Asian ethnicity). Participants were administered measures of internalized weight bias and physical and mental health-related quality of life, and they were assessed for the presence of chronic medical conditions, use of prescription and non-prescription medications, and current exercise.ResultsInternalized weight bias was significantly correlated with health impairment in both physical (r = −.25) and mental (r = −.48) domains. In multivariate analyses controlling for body mass index, age, and other physical health indicators, internalized weight bias significantly and independently predicted impairment in both physical (β = −.31) and mental (β = −.47) health.ConclusionsInternalized weight bias was associated with greater impairment in both the physical and mental domains of health-related quality of life. Internalized weight bias also contributed significantly to the variance in physical and mental health impairment over and above the contributions of BMI, age, and medical comorbidity. Consistent with the association between prejudice and physical health in other minority groups, these findings suggest a link between the effects of internalized weight-based discrimination and physical health. Research is needed on strategies to prevent weight bias and its internalization on both a societal and individual level.

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“…Regardless of whether one actually is overweight, feeling overweight/obese may serve as a source of chronic psychological stress [25], [26]. Chronic psychological stress, in turn, can lead to autonomic dysregulation, a risk factor for diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and heart disease [27]–[29]. Those who are at a healthy weight but see themselves as “fat” or “obese” may serve as a useful counterfactual for measuring body-image-associated psychological stress relative to those who are at a healthy weight and accurately see themselves this way [7], [18], [25], [26].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, in an area of the Dominican Republic where obesity is not stigmatized and overweight bodies are desirable, researchers found satisfaction with one’s weight among overweight participants who compared their weight to the norm or desired norm of those around them [27].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

When Overweight Is the Normal Weight: An Examination of Obesity Using a Social Media Internet Database

Kuebler

Yom-Tov

Pelleg³

et al. 2013

PLoS ONE

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Using a large social media database, Yahoo Answers, we explored postings to an online forum in which posters asked whether their height and weight qualify themselves as “skinny,” “thin,” “fat,” or “obese” over time and across forum topics. We used these data to better understand whether a higher-than-average body mass index (BMI) in one’s county might, in some ways, be protective for one’s mental and physical health. For instance, we explored whether higher proportions of obese people in one’s county predicts lower levels of bullying or “am I fat?” questions from those with a normal BMI relative to his/her actual BMI. Most women asking whether they were themselves fat/obese were not actually fat/obese. Both men and women who were actually overweight/obese were significantly more likely in the future to ask for advice about bullying than thinner individuals. Moreover, as mean county-level BMI increased, bullying decreased and then increased again (in a U-shape curve). Regardless of where they lived, posters who asked “am I fat?” who had a BMI in the healthy range were more likely than other posters to subsequently post on health problems, but the proportions of such posters also declined greatly as county-level BMI increased. Our findings suggest that obese people residing in counties with higher levels of BMI may have better physical and mental health than obese people living in counties with lower levels of BMI by some measures, but these improvements are modest.

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Obesity‐associated stigma and physiological markers of stress: evidence from the Dominican Republic

Cited by 18 publications

References 24 publications

Pressure To Be Thin and Insulin Sensitivity Among Adolescents

Pressure To Be Thin and Insulin Sensitivity Among Adolescents

Health and health-related quality of life among treatment-seeking overweight and obese adults: associations with internalized weight bias

When Overweight Is the Normal Weight: An Examination of Obesity Using a Social Media Internet Database

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