Weight stigma predicts reduced psychological wellbeing and weight gain among sexual minority men: A 12-month longitudinal cohort study using random intercept cross-lagged panel models

Applying self-determination theory to internalized weight stigma and mental health correlates among young and middle adult women: A structural equation model

Limited research has explored the relationship between self-determination theory constructs (basic psychological needs, autonomous/controlled regulation) and internalized weight stigma (IWS). This cross-sectional, online study surveyed 480 U.S. women aged 18-40 between 2021 and 2022. We hypothesized that need frustration and controlled weight regulation would relate to higher IWS, which would be associated with dysfunctional eating, distress, and lower life satisfaction. Conversely, we predicted that need satisfaction, autonomous regulation, and body satisfaction would be associated with reduced IWS, dysfunctional eating and distress, and higher life satisfaction. Structural equation modeling demonstrated an acceptable model fit (CMIN/DF = 2.95, CFI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.06, SRMR = 0.07), accounting for 74% of IWS variance. Findings indicate the relevance of self-determination theory in understanding IWS, supporting a dual-process model whereby adverse and adaptive outcomes follow distinct pathways. Longitudinal studies are warranted to validate psychological needs and regulatory styles as mechanisms for IWS development and to assess generalizability across diverse populations.

On liking how you look and feeling sexy: Quantifying the overlap between sexual desirability and body satisfaction in a sample of Australian Grindr users

The body image field aims to cultivate positive body image. To do so, it must appreciate factors contributing to positive body image. Sexual desirability is one such factor. Using experience sampling data from Australian Grindr users, we aimed to quantify the overlap between sexual desirability and body satisfaction. We found sexual desirability and body satisfaction correlated strongly between- (r = .90) and within-persons (rMedian =.60). Using dynamic structural equation modeling, we analyzed 238 participants' data (T = 9058), finding that sexual desirability and body satisfaction were bidirectionally related - previous sexual desirability predicted current body satisfaction (β = 0.22) and vice versa (β = 0.17). Participants' average body satisfaction tended to be higher when sexual desirability contributed more to body satisfaction (r = .31) and was more stable across time (r = .19). We found sexual desirability and body satisfaction overlap considerably and that sexual desirability may contribute more to body satisfaction than vice versa. Our results suggest that (1) sexual desirability and its dynamics across time influence body satisfaction, and (2) research on sexual desirability and its relationship with body image should be a focus for the field. We discuss avenues for future research on sexual desirability.

A dyadic analysis of anti-fat attitudes and partners' diet-related influence among gay married men

OBJECTIVES

The focus on physical appearance among gay men has potential implications for anti-fat attitudes, including those directed toward romantic partners. Partners often influence each other's behaviors including those linked to weight, but most research has examined the consequences of these influence strategies versus their antecedents. To address this research gap, we examined how men's own and their partners' anti-fat attitudes were related to both health-promoting (control) and health-compromising (undermining) types of diet-related influence and whether these associations differed by weight status.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Analyzing data from a cross-sectional online survey of 450 U.S. adult gay married men (225 couples), Actor-Partner Interdependence Models revealed that individuals' own anti-fat attitudes (all types) were positively associated with more frequent receipt of spousal control and undermining. Additionally, partner's fears about gaining weight were positively associated with more frequent receipt of spousal control and dislike of higher weight people and fear of gaining weight (among those of higher weight status) were positively associated with more frequent receipt of spousal undermining.

CONCLUSION

Our findings add to the literature on diet-related interactions among gay married men, highlight the value of examining these processes dyadically, and suggest the importance of including both members of couples in health promotion and intervention efforts.

Weight Stigma and Mental and Emotional Health Among Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals: A Scoping Review

Purpose: Weight stigma is associated with poor mental and emotional health and may be especially harmful to sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals due to co-occurring minority stress. The literature on this topic has not been synthesized. We conducted a scoping review of the literature on weight stigma and mental and emotional health among SGM individuals to synthesize findings, highlight gaps, and identify clinical and research implications. Methods: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews, we searched PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus in April 2022. Included studies examined the relationship between weight stigma and mental and emotional health among SGM people of any age. We did not restrict study design or publication date. Results: Of 513 records identified, 23 met inclusion criteria. Most focused on sexual minority individuals; one focused specifically on gender minority individuals. Weight stigma was associated with poorer mental and emotional health in nearly all studies. The most common outcomes examined were self-esteem, maladaptive eating, and depressive symptoms. Five studies, all using the same dataset, focused on adolescents; none focused on older adults. Conclusions: Weight stigma is associated with poorer mental and emotional health among SGM individuals and, through its intersections with minority stress, might impact SGM individuals differently than their cisgender and heterosexual counterparts. There are important gaps regarding weight stigma's effect on SGM adolescents and gender minority individuals and its relationship with a broader range of mental and emotional health outcomes.

Status, sexual capital, and intraminority body stigma in a size-diverse sample of gay men

Gay men are more likely than heterosexual men to experience social pressure based on body weight, shape, and muscularity, which may drive disparities in body image concerns and eating disorders. Utilizing a sample of 1723 gay men living in the United States, the present study examined whether sociodemographic factors (used as proxies for status and sexual capital) and frequency of attending gay-specific establishments or gatherings (community involvement) were associated with gay men's experiences of negative or discriminatory pressures based on body size and shape specifically from other gay men (intraminority body stigma). Experiences of intraminority body stigma were significantly more common among gay men who identified as higher-weight (r = 0.28), less masculine (r = -0.21), less wealthy (r = -0.21), younger (r = -0.21), or people of color (ds = 0.25-0.28). Furthermore, indicators of low status and sexual capital were indirectly associated with less frequent community involvement via more frequent experiences of intraminority body stigma. In addition to frequency, the valence of interactions between gay men should be considered when assessing body image and eating disorder risk in this population. Future research is encouraged to examine intraminority body stigma as an intersectional source of intraminority stress to inform prevention and treatment efforts for gay men.

Fat is feminine: A qualitative study of how weight stigma is constructed among sexual minority men who use Grindr

Why is weight stigma so potent among sexual minority men? We propose that sexual minority men may be more vulnerable to weight stigma because of factors not captured by existing measures - for instance, men's perception of fatness as less masculine and/or more feminine. To investigate, we qualitatively examined how 17 sexual minority men (M_age = 28.52, SD_age = 1.63, range: 18-49) described fatness in their discussions of body ideals and appearance pressures. We generated two themes: (i) Masculinity is a currency that fat men have less of and (ii) Fatness is stigmatized or fetishized. Participants described appearing masculine (i.e., lean, muscular) as particularly valuable within the gay community - opposingly, fatness was framed as unmasculine and undesirable. Fat men's treatment was understood as rarely divorced from their body size, either being stigmatized or fetishized because of their weight. Finally, being unattracted to fat men was constructed as a personal preference that ought not be criticised. These findings suggest the value of masculinity within the gay community may exacerbate weight stigma experiences and internalization among sexual minority men. Future research should account for the anticipated effects of fatness on men's masculinity and clarify whether sexual preferences and fetishization should be subsumed in weight stigma definitions.

A randomized controlled trial of a brief self-compassion intervention designed to improve the body image of sexual minority men

Self-compassion involves reflecting on shared human experiences, expressing self-kindness, and responding to feelings in a kind and non-judgmental way. Self-compassion interventions seem to be effective for women's body dissatisfaction, however, such interventions have not been trialed with men, including sexual minority men, who are particularly vulnerable. We conducted a randomized controlled trial of a brief self-compassion intervention designed to reduce body dissatisfaction among sexual minority men (N = 605). We used a 3 (condition: self-compassion, self-esteem, and a benign recollection control) × 5 (time) repeated measures design, whereby participants completed a brief writing task and completed body image measures at multiple time-points. Participants in both the self-compassion and self-esteem conditions showed improved body image and self-compassion following the intervention whereas participants in the control condition did not. Increases in self-compassion mediated body image measures for participants in the self-compassion but not self-esteem or control conditions. Participants in the self-compassion condition also showed increased self-compassion at three-weeks follow-up. While several caveats to our results were noted, our overall interpretation is that self-compassion and self-esteem interventions might be effective for sexual minority men's body image, and more research is necessary. The challenge of inculcating a self-compassionate mindset among men is also discussed.