The Relationship Between Weight Self-Stigma and Quality of Life Among Youth in the Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia

The Effects of Sociodemographic Factors and BMI on Weight Stigma Among Adults With Obesity in Madinah Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study

Introduction Weight stigma (WS), characterized by discrimination and stereotyping based on a person's weight, remains understudied in Saudi Arabia despite the country's high obesity rates. Particularly, limited research has been conducted on WS in Madinah. Understanding the factors contributing to WS in this region is crucial for developing targeted interventions to effectively address it. Hence, this study aimed to explore the effects of sociodemographic characteristics and body mass index (BMI) on WS among adults with obesity in Madinah. Methods Individuals with obesity who were seeking care at primary healthcare centers were included in this study. This research was an analytical cross-sectional study; Madinah City was divided into four areas. One primary health center from each area was randomly selected. Subsequently, a consecutive sampling technique was used to collect questionnaires from participants during the period of December 2023 to March 2024. The participants completed a self-administered electronic questionnaire, which included the Arabic-translated and validated version of the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ). Data analysis included descriptive, simple logistic regression and multiple logistic regression with forward stepwise analysis. Results A total of 383 participants completed the questionnaire, of which 225 (58.7%) were men and 158 (41.3%) were women. The analysis showed that individuals without a family history of obesity experienced higher WS levels than those with a family history [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.853, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.010-2.844]. Moreover, individuals with obesity demonstrated the lowest WS levels than those without obesity (AOR = 0.027, 95% CI: 0.009-0.08). These findings provide insights into the association among sociodemographic factors, BMI, and WS in adults with obesity residing in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Conclusion This study provides evidence that WS is a complex issue that is not solely determined by an individual's obesity status; rather, it is influenced by a lack of family history of obesity, which establishes the impact of social factors on WS. Therefore, comprehending the role of family dynamics and societal norms in shaping an individual's weight status is crucial in managing WS.

Relationship Between Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Weight Self-Stigma Among Youths in Saudi Arabia: A Nationwide Study

Background and objectives Many research studies show that self-stigma related to weight can exacerbate mental health issues. There is also evidence suggesting that depression, anxiety, and stress could be predictors of weight stigma. However, these connections have not been thoroughly investigated among young people in Saudi Arabia, where there is a high prevalence of obesity. This study aimed to explore the relationships between depression, anxiety, stress, and weight self-stigma in Saudi Arabian adolescents and young adults. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and March 2022 and utilized online surveys, including the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ) and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21). We conducted descriptive analysis, independent samples t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and linear regression for the statistical analysis using SPSS version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results A total of 1624 participants were enrolled in this survey. Most participants (889, 54.7%) were females. The mean age was 20.73 years (SD: 2.63). Males were more likely to report self-stigma compared to females (p = 0.018). Weight self-stigma demonstrated significant positive associations with body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.0001) and depression, anxiety, and stress (p = 0.0001) scores. Further analysis revealed weight self-stigma was positively correlated with psychological distress levels in the study population (p = 0.0001). The results demonstrated a statistically significant difference between different regions of Saudi Arabia with weight self-stigma being more prevalent in the Al-Baha region and least prevalent in the Al-Madinah region. Conclusions The results of this study indicate robust positive correlations between weight self-stigma scores and depression, anxiety, and stress scale scores among adolescents and young adults in Saudi Arabia. Further epidemiological and clinical studies on the national level are warranted.

Measurement Invariance and Psychometric Evaluation of the Tendency to Avoid Physical Activity and Sport Scale (TAPAS) Among Mainland Chinese University Students

Introduction

Preventative factors in young people's physical inactivity require further understanding, including related psychosocial factors (eg, body image and weight stigma). The Tendency to Avoid Physical Activity and Sport Scale (TAPAS) is a recently developed instrument to address this issue and the present study examined its psychometric properties among Chinese university students particularly in relation to patterns across sex, physical activity (PA) level, and weight status.

Methods

Using a convenience sample of 3142 students (mean age = 19.8 years; 56% female) in mainland China, data were collected using an online survey between August and October 2022. Psychometric instruments including the Weight Bias Internalization Scale, 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form were administered along with the TAPAS to assess convergent and discriminant validity. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) assessed the measurement invariance across specific groups.

Results

The unidimensional structure of the scale was confirmed through CFA (CFI=0.995; RMSEA=0.046). All configural, metric and scalar models of invariance indicated that the scale was invariant across sex, PA level, and weight status. Acceptable convergent and discriminant validity for the scale were found.

Conclusion

The TAPAS is a suitable instrument to assess body image and weight stigma concerns for avoiding physical activity and sport among Chinese university students.

Stigmatisation of Obesity and its Relation to the Perception of Controllability in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Objectives

This study assessed the stigmatisation of obesity among a sample of the general population in Riyadh and its association with the perception of controllability.

Methods

A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during January-February 2021. The data were collected through a self-administrated online questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using John's Macintosh Project, Version 16.0.0.

Results

A total of 525 participants were recruited via convenience sampling. The majority of the participants exhibited a low level of stigma towards obesity (72.8%), and gender and BMI were significantly associated with the level of stigma (P = 0.0023 and 0.0360, respectively). The association between the perception of controllable factors and the level of stigma was also significant (P = 0.0001).

Conclusion

A significant association was found between the stigmatisation of obesity and the perception of controllability among the general population in Riyadh. Recommendations should be based on joint international consensus statements for ending obesity stigmatisation in different settings and categories; healthcare service providers and obese patients should be educated on the relationships demonstrated in these findings.

Examining the role of experiential avoidance and valued action in the negative effects of weight self-stigma

Harmful effects of weight self-stigma on quality of life and health behaviors have been well-established. However, the processes that lead to these negative outcomes are less understood. Psychological inflexibility is defined as a pattern of rigid psychological reactions dominating over values and meaningful actions. A lack in valued action is characterized by the absence of activities that are connected to what is personally meaningful. In this secondary analysis, we aim to extend research by examining two subprocesses of psychological inflexibility, experiential avoidance and lack of valued action, as statistical mediators of the relations between weight self-stigma and quality of life/health behavior outcomes. Baseline data from a clinical trial comparing weight loss maintenance interventions in a sample of 194 adults living with overweight or obesity and seeking treatment is analyzed. Results show that greater experiential avoidance and lower valued action were significantly related to lower quality of life and satisfaction with social roles, as well as greater depression, anxiety, and binge eating. Further, results from a parallel mediation analysis indicated that weight self-stigma is indirectly related to anxiety, disinhibited eating, and hunger through the relationship with experiential avoidance and lack of valued action.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Diabetes Mellitus Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients Attending Primary Health Care Centers in the Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a disease whose dramatic increase in prevalence worldwide poses a global health crisis. Saudi Arabia has the seventh highest rate of diabetes in the world and the second highest rate in the Middle East. The incidence of diabetes has risen due to insufficient knowledge, attitude, and practice surrounding the disease. Saudis’ quality of life has decreased due to the recent rise in diabetes-related mortality and illnesses. Hence, leading healthy lives requires patients to have positive attitudes and self-awareness, which will eventually contribute to reducing diabetes mellites-related complications.

Methods

A cross-sectional study among patients with type 2 diabetes mellites (T2DM) in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia was conducted to assess Saudi adults’ knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding the disease. The patients participated in the study by filling in a questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out using R software, version 4.0.5 (R Studio: Integrated Development for R, Boston, MA) and the analysis included general sample demographics. KAP scores were the dependent variables. Following the sample description, regression analysis was performed to examine the adjusted relationships between KAP factors and independent variables. The impact of all independent variables on KAP variables was examined using multiple linear regression analysis. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant, and the beta coefficient was applied to estimate the associations between the independent variables and the KAP variables. 

Results

A total of 424 participants were involved in this study, with 194 male participants and 230 female participants. The mean duration of having T2DM was 7.63 ± 7.19 years. More than half of the study participants had a degree (58.49%), and nearly half were employed (42.45%). Married participants had higher knowledge and attitude scores than single and divorced or widowed participants (9.19 ± 3.38, 80.14 ± 14.72, respectively). In comparison, divorced or widowed participants had higher practice scores than single and married participants (16.35 ± 7.42). Participants with higher education attainment had higher knowledge and attitude scores than those with no degree (9.54 ± 3.39, 80.58 ± 17.57, respectively), whereas participants with no degree demonstrated higher practice scores (16.85 ± 8.3) than those with degrees. In examining the study participants’ KAP scores, we found knowledge to be insufficient in 51.2% and sufficient in 48.8% of the participants. Of the participants, 7.8% were found to have negative attitude levels and 92.2% were found to have positive attitude levels. Finally, study participants’ practice levels were found to be negative in 24.8% and positive in 75.2% of participants.

Conclusions

This study revealed that patients have gaps in their knowledge, attitude, and practice in regard to T2DM. In this study, associations and correlations were established between KAP scores and the sociodemographic characteristics of the patients. The findings of this study could be helpful to policymakers, decision-makers, health care professionals, and patient advocacy groups in developing interventions to improve the health outcomes in T2DM patients.