The experience of weight stigma among gym members with overweight and obesity.

Abstract

Persons with obesity face frequent instances of weight-related victimization and discrimination. To date, however, no research has assessed weight stigma within fitness facilities among a sample of gym members with overweight and obesity. Given the role of exercise in mitigating the health risks of obesity, it is vital to assess the presence of weight stigma within exercise facilities. We therefore assessed weight stigma within fitness facilities, factors affecting motivation to exercise, and factors that are important when selecting a gym. U.S. adult gym members with overweight and obesity completed online self-report measures of gym use, experiences of stigma within fitness settings, barriers to exercise, and gym preferences. Participants also completed measures of health and psychological functioning. Three hundred eighty-nine individuals (75% female, 53% White, 74% with obesity) participated. Adjusting for covariates, stigma at the gym was associated with negative attitudes toward the gym, maladaptive behaviors to cope with stigma, weight bias internalization, unhealthy weight control practices, and poorer self-reported physical and emotional health (ps Ͻ .05). Stigma at the gym was unrelated to self-reported frequency of gym use (p Ͼ .05). Experiences of weight stigma at the gym are associated with poor emotional and physical health among individuals with overweight and obesity. Respondents also indicated that provision of a shame-free environment is an important consideration when selecting a gym. Results may help to determine whether new gym policies to promote exercise among individuals with overweight and obesity are warranted.

Weight bias internalization and health: a systematic review

“…Six studies have examined associations between WBI and mental HRQOL using the Mental Component Summary Score of the SF‐12 or SF‐36 . Across these studies, WBI was significantly and negatively associated with mental domains of quality of life, and these findings remained consistent for both the WBIS and WSSQ.…”

“…Seven studies consistently showed significant associations between WBIS scores and physical HRQOL . For example, Latner et al .…”

“…Links between depressive symptoms and WBI have been examined in 30 studies . WBI was significantly and positively associated with depressive symptoms in 28 of the 30 studies; only two did not find a significant association . Bivariate correlations ranged from r = 0.24 to r = 0.66, with 25 studies reporting moderate ( r ≥ 0.30) or strong correlations ( r ≥ 0.50).…”

“…Fifteen studies have examined and demonstrated significant correlations between WBI and both general and weight‐specific HRQOL . Some of the measures used included subscales that distinctly assess mental versus physical QOL (e.g.…”

“…normal weight, overweight and obesity). Among samples that only included persons with overweight/obesity, 16 studies found significant associations between WBI and BMI or weight status , and 17 found no significant associations . In studies that found significant associations, r values ranged from 0.12 to 0.40.…”