Logo image
Long-Term Effects of an Internalized Weight Stigma Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Long-Term Effects of an Internalized Weight Stigma Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Rebecca L. Pearl, Thomas A. Wadden, Caroline Bach, Erica M. LaFata, Shiva Gautam, Sharon Leonard, Robert I. Berkowitz, Janet D. Latner and John M. Jakicic
Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, v 91(7), pp 398-410
01 Jul 2023
PMID: 37155264
url
https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000819View
Accepted (AM)Open Access (License Unspecified) Open

Abstract

Psychology Psychology, Clinical Social Sciences
Objective: To test the long-term effects of a group-based, psychological intervention designed to reduce internalized weight stigma (IWS, i.e., self-stigma), delivered in combination with behavioral weight loss (BWL) treatment, compared to BWL alone. Method: Adults with obesity who had experienced and IWS (N = 105, M-age = 49 years, 90.5% women, 70.5% White, 24.8% Black, M-BMI = 38 kg/m(2)) were randomized to receive BWL with the Weight Bias Internalization and Stigma (BIAS) Program or BWL alone. Participants received weekly group treatment for 20 weeks, followed by 52 weeks of monthly and every-other-month sessions. Percent weight change at Week 72 was the primary outcome, with secondary outcomes of weight change at other time points; physical activity (measured by accelerometry, interview, and self-report); cardiometabolic risk factors; and psychological and behavioral outcomes. Intention-to-treat analyses used linear mixed models to test for between-group differences. Treatment acceptability was assessed. Results: Participants in the BWL + BIAS versus BWL group lost 2 percentage points more of baseline weight at Week 72, which was not a significant difference (mean weight change = -7.2% vs. -5.2%, 95% CI [-4.6 to 0.6], p = 0.14, d = 0.18). The BWL + BIAS (vs. BWL) group produced significantly greater improvements in weight self-stigma, eating self-efficacy, and some aspects of quality of life at specific time points. Most outcomes improved significantly over time but did not differ between groups. The trial had high retention and treatment acceptability, with higher ratings in the BWL + BIAS versus BWL group. Conclusions: No significant differences in weight loss were observed between the BWL + BIAS versus BWL group. Possible benefits of addressing weight stigma in weight management warrant further investigation.

Metrics

16 Record Views
14 citations in Scopus

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#5 Gender Equality
#3 Good Health and Well-Being

InCites Highlights

Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:

Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Psychology, Clinical
Logo image