Journal article
Characterising first, recent and worst experiences of weight stigma in a clinical sample of adults with high body weight and high internalised stigma
Clinical obesity, v 15(4), pp e70005-n/a
Aug 2025
PMID: 40032247
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Summary This research aimed to systematically characterise experiences of weight stigma and their impacts among weight‐loss treatment‐seeking adults with high body weight and high levels of internalised weight stigma. Participants recruited for two clinical trials completed a semi‐structured interview about weight stigma (Study 1 n = 84, Mage = 47.8 ± 11.2 years, 83.3% women, 67.9% Black; Study 2 n = 129, Mage = 50.0 ± 12.2 years, 88.4% women, 65.1% White). Study 1 focused on first and most recent experiences of weight‐based teasing, bullying, discrimination and unfair treatment, and Study 2 focused on the worst examples of these experiences; participants in both studies also identified their overall worst experiences. Participants reported the age at which the experiences occurred and rated (1–5) how upsetting they were. Interview responses were coded for interpersonal sources of weight stigma and impacts of these experiences. Across studies, weight teasing was the most commonly reported experience of weight stigma and the most frequently identified worst experience. Family members were the most commonly identified interpersonal source of weight stigma. Weight stigma experiences were reported across the lifespan and were predominantly described as having negative emotional impacts. Findings provide insights into the types and characteristics of weight stigma experiences that may contribute to the internalisation of this stigma and other adverse consequences.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Characterising first, recent and worst experiences of weight stigma in a clinical sample of adults with high body weight and high internalised stigma
- Creators
- Rebecca L. Pearl - University of FloridaLaurie C. Groshon - University of FloridaMarian Hernandez - San Diego State UniversityCaroline Bach - University of PennsylvaniaErica M. LaFata - Drexel University, Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology)Hannah F. Fitterman-Harris - University of LouisvilleDakota L. Leget - University of FloridaMiriam Sheynblyum - University of FloridaThomas A. Wadden - University of Pennsylvania
- Publication Details
- Clinical obesity, v 15(4), pp e70005-n/a
- Publisher
- Blackwell Publishing Ltd
- Number of pages
- 12
- Grant note
- WW International National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (K23HL140176)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); Center for Weight, Eating and Lifestyle Science (WELL) [Historical]
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001538738800010
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-86000237017
- Other Identifier
- 991022036303104721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Endocrinology & Metabolism