Association between weight bias internalization and metabolic syndrome among treatment-seeking individuals with obesity.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Weight stigma is a chronic stressor that may increase cardiometabolic risk. Some individuals with obesity self-stigmatize (i.e., weight bias internalization, WBI). No study to date has examined whether WBI is associated with metabolic syndrome.

Methods

Blood pressure, waist circumference, and fasting glucose, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured at baseline in 178 adults with obesity enrolled in a weight-loss trial. Medication use for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and prediabetes was included in criteria for metabolic syndrome. One hundred fifty-nine participants (88.1% female, 67.3% black, mean BMI = 41.1 kg/m² ) completed the Weight Bias Internalization Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9, to assess depressive s

SUBMITTER: Pearl RL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5300503 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature