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Osa ML, Kelly NR, Calogero RM. Disordered eating symptoms as a function of perceived weight status and race: An intersectional examination. Body Image 2022; 43:337-347. [PMID: 36265414 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Disordered eating (DE) exhibited by individuals with intersecting marginalized identities may be less likely to be perceived as pathological compared to DE exhibited by individuals with non-marginalized identities. The present experiment tested the intersectional impact of weight status and race stimuli on responses to DE in a college sample. Undergraduate students (N = 193, Mage = 18.57, SD = 1.88, 71 % female) read a fictional account from a female target with DE who was described as "underweight," "average weight," or "overweight," and "White" or "Black." Participants completed an in-lab survey assessing detection of and responses to DE. Three 2 (race: Black, White) x 3 (weight status: underweight, average weight, overweight) ANCOVAs revealed a main effect of weight status. DE was more likely to be detected in "underweight" than "average" and "overweight" targets (p < .001). Participants encouraged weight loss for "average" and "overweight" targets compared to "underweight" targets (p < .001) and encouraged weight restoration for "underweight" targets compared to "average weight" and "overweight" targets (p < .001). No significant effects for target race or interaction between weight status and race emerged. These findings underscore the salience of weight status in shaping perceptions of DE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggie L Osa
- Department of Counseling and Human Services, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA; Prevention Science Institute, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
| | - Nichole R Kelly
- Department of Counseling and Human Services, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA; Prevention Science Institute, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Rachel M Calogero
- Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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Kamolthip R, Saffari M, Fung XCC, O'Brien KS, Chang YL, Lin YC, Lin CY, Chen JS, Latner JD. The mediation effect of perceived weight stigma in association between weight status and eating disturbances among university students: is there any gender difference? J Eat Disord 2022; 10:28. [PMID: 35193673 PMCID: PMC8864835 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-022-00552-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The study aimed to examine the association between perceived weight stigma (PWS), weight status, and eating disturbances. We hypothesized that PWS would partially mediate the association between weight status and eating disturbances among university students. METHODS The study involved 705 undergraduate students (379 females and 326 males) recruited from Hong Kong and Taiwan Universities (399 Hong Kong; 306 Taiwan participants). Our sample was from one Hong Kong university (located in Kowloon) and five Taiwan universities (three located in Southern Taiwan, one located in Central Taiwan, and one located in North Taiwan). Participants' mean age was 20.27 years (SD = 1.79). All participants completed a demographic information sheet, the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-18 (TFEQ-R18), and the PWS questionnaire. PROCESS macro models were used to analyze potential mediations. RESULTS We found a significantly higher PWS scores in a high weight group for females and males. There was a significant difference between weight status and eating disturbances. Moreover, PWS partially mediated the association between weight status and eating disturbances for both genders. CONCLUSIONS PWS is associated with weight status and eating disturbances, making it an important target for health improvement among young adults. Further studies are needed to corroborate such associations in participants from other societies and cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruckwongpatr Kamolthip
- Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd, Tainan, 701401, Taiwan
| | - Mohsen Saffari
- Health Research Center, Life Style Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Health Education Department, Faculty of Health, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Xavier C C Fung
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | - Kerry S O'Brien
- School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Yen-Ling Chang
- Department of Family Medicine, Cardinal Tien Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ching Lin
- Department of Early Childhood and Family Education, National Taipei University of Education, No.134, Sec. 2, Heping E. Rd., Da-an District, Taipei City, 106, Taiwan.
| | - Chung-Ying Lin
- Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd, Tainan, 701401, Taiwan. .,Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701401, Taiwan. .,Biostatistics Consulting Center, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701401, Taiwan. .,Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701401, Taiwan.
| | - Jung-Sheng Chen
- Department of Medical Research, E-Da Hospital, No. 6, Yida Rd., Yanchao Dist., Kaohsiung, 82445, Taiwan.
| | - Janet D Latner
- Department of Psychology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
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Cullin JM. What is normal body weight? Perceptions around "average" and "healthy" body weight among adolescents in Indiana. Am J Hum Biol 2021; 33:e23654. [PMID: 34331719 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Biological normalcy is a framework that investigates relationship(s) between statistical norms and normative views/beliefs around particular traits. This study assessed the relationships between perceptions of average body weight, healthy body weight, and weight status among adolescents. METHODS Adolescents recruited in southcentral Indiana, United States (n = 123) completed online questionnaires for demographics and body weight perceptions. Silhouettes from the Stunkard Figure Rating Scale measured perceived weight status, perceived average body weight, and perceived healthy body weight. Height and weight were measured to calculate body mass index-for-age percentiles. A subsample (n = 11) provided descriptions of "average," "healthy," and "normal" bodies during semi-structured interviews. RESULTS As perceived average body weight increased, selections of "healthy" silhouettes shifted downward, with smaller female silhouettes being marked healthy more often and larger male silhouettes being marked healthy less often. Additionally, perceived weight status was positively associated with perceptions around average body weight and lowest body weight perceived to be healthy for female and male silhouettes. Qualitative data demonstrated significant overlap in adolescents' descriptions of "average," "healthy," and "normal" bodies as well as dual meanings for the term "normal" in adolescents' views of body weight. CONCLUSIONS Perceived weight status appears to play a role in adolescents' conceptualizations of average and healthy body weight. Additionally, Qualitative and quantitative data indicated that perceived body weight norms were associated with normative perceptions around what healthy bodies look like. This study demonstrates relationships between statistical norms and normative views around body weight, underscoring the duality in how body weight is understood to be "normal" among adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Cullin
- Department of Anthropology, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
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