Internalised Weight Stigma Mediates Relationships Between Perceived Weight Stigma and Psychosocial Correlates in Individuals Seeking Bariatric Surgery: a Cross-sectional Study - Summary - MDSpire

Internalised Weight Stigma Mediates Relationships Between Perceived Weight Stigma and Psychosocial Correlates in Individuals Seeking Bariatric Surgery: a Cross-sectional Study

  • By

  • Hugh Bidstrup

  • Leah Brennan

  • Annemarie Hindle

  • Leah Kaufmann

  • Xochitl de la Piedad Garcia

  • September 12, 2022

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To estimate the relationship between perceived and internalised weight stigma, psychosocial correlates, and physical health correlates, and to assess the mediating effect of internalised weight stigma on these relationships.

Key Findings:
  • A positive correlation was found between perceived and internalised weight stigma, indicating that higher perceived stigma is linked to greater internalisation.
  • Both perceived and internalised weight stigma were associated with negative psychosocial correlates, including higher levels of depression and lower quality of life.
  • Internalised weight stigma significantly mediated the relationship between perceived weight stigma and psychosocial correlates, suggesting a critical pathway for intervention.
Interpretation:

The findings suggest that internalised weight stigma plays a crucial role in the psychosocial health of individuals seeking bariatric surgery, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions to address this issue.

Limitations:
  • The study's cross-sectional design limits causal inferences.
  • Data on non-participants was not available, potentially affecting generalizability.
  • Reliance on self-reported measures may introduce bias.
  • The relatively small sample size may limit the robustness of the findings.
Conclusion:

Understanding the mechanisms of weight stigma, particularly internalised weight stigma, can inform clinical interventions for individuals seeking bariatric surgery, ultimately improving psychosocial outcomes.

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