Weight Stigma Affects Men Too

Weight-related teasing is associated with body concerns, disordered eating, and health diagnoses in racially and ethnically diverse young men

Research suggests that weight-related teasing is associated with body concerns and disordered eating in male and female adolescents and women. Yet, little is known about these associations for young men with diverse racial and ethnic identities. This study examined the association of weight-related teasing frequency and distress with body concerns, loss of control (LOC) eating, dietary restraint, and history of psychiatric and medical diagnoses in racially and ethnically diverse young men. Racial and ethnic identity was examined as a potential moderator. Participants (N = 1,069; 18-30 years; M_age = 24.1 ± 3.6 years) completed an online survey and reported on general demographics; weight-related teasing; body concerns; LOC eating frequency in the last 28 days; dietary restraint; and history of psychiatric and medical diagnoses. All models adjusted for BMI, income, education, and history of psychiatric diagnoses (when not the dependent variable). Both weight-related teasing frequency and distress were significantly and positively linked with all dependent variables, and these associations did not significantly vary by racial and ethnic identity. These findings suggest that, much like in prior research with adolescents and women, experiences with weight-related teasing are associated with body concerns, disordered eating, and poorer health in racially and ethnically diverse young men, regardless of body size.

Uncovering men's stereotype content (warmth and competence) associated with a representative range of male body size categories

Research indicates that 40 % of men experience weight-related stigmatization. Yet perceptions of body size continue to be understudied in men and the stereotype content of men's weight status remains largely unknown. Grounded in Stereotype Content Model, the research aims to uncover men's stereotype content associated with distinct body sizes. A pilot study tested the methodological design using a representative measure of BMI-specific images among a sample of undergraduate men (N = 80). Study 1 included the BMI-specific images to assess stereotype content among a broad online sample (N = 142) and explored how participant BMI relates to such perceptions. Study 2 included images of real men to increase the ecological validity of our findings (N = 152). We also included empathy and protestant ethics to examine possible interaction effects. Results revealed that normal to overweight men scored highest on warmth and competence, while underweight and obese classes were perceived less favorably and, evidently, stereotype perceptions were increasingly severe with adiposity. Empathy moderated evaluations of warmth toward stigmatized groups, and protestant ethics moderated warmth appraisals for underweight and normal weight targets but did not influence perceptions of competence. Overall, weight stereotype content should be considered when understanding stigma-related experiences in men.

A review of the psychosocial aspects of clinically severe obesity and bariatric surgery

For the past 2 decades, clinically severe obesity (operationalized as a body mass index ≥40 kg/m2) has increased at a more pronounced rate that less severe obesity. As a result, the surgical treatment of obesity (bariatric surgery) has become a more widely accepted, yet still underutilized, treatment for persons with severe obesity and significant weight-related health problems. Psychologists play a central role on the multidisciplinary team involved in the preoperative assessment and postoperative management of patients. They also have played a central role in clinical research which has enhanced understanding of the psychosocial and behavioral factors that contribute to the development of severe obesity as well as how those factors and others contribute to postoperative outcomes. This article, written specifically for psychologists and other mental health professionals who currently work with these patients or are considering the opportunity to do so in the future, reviews these contributions over the past 20 years. The article highlights how this work has become a fundamental part of international clinical care guidelines, which primarily focus on preoperative psychosocial screening. The article also outlines avenues for future research in the field, with a specific focus on the need for additional behavioral and psychosocial interventions to promote lifelong success after bariatric surgery. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Prospective Evaluation of Internalized Weight Bias and Weight Change Among Successful Weight-Loss Maintainers

OBJECTIVE

Internalized weight bias (IWB) has been associated with weight regain after intentional weight loss, but reliance on cross-sectional data limits the understanding of this relationship. This study prospectively evaluated IWB as a predictor of weight change in a longitudinal observational study of successful weight-loss maintainers.

METHODS

National Weight Control Registry participants (maintained 13.6-kg weight loss for ≥ 1 y) were asked to complete an online questionnaire including current weight and Weight Bias Internalization Scale-Modified (WBIS-M) at baseline and 12 months.

RESULTS

At baseline, 1,250 of 1,643 eligible individuals completed the baseline assessment (71% female; 94% white; mean age ± SD: 52 y ± 13.1; BMI: 27 ± 5.5). The average WBIS-M score was 3.0 (± 1.3). Study completers (n = 862) reported 2.2% (± 7.8%) weight gain. Higher baseline IWB predicted weight gain among men (n = 254; t = -2.28; P = 0.02) but not women (n = 608; t = 1.22; P = 0.22). A one-point reduction in WBIS-M score at follow-up was associated with a 3.0% weight loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Among weight-loss maintainers, IWB may be a risk factor for weight gain among men. Weight loss at follow-up was associated with reduced IWB in both men and women. Reliance on female-only samples may limit our understanding of IWB and its implications for weight control.