The experience of weight stigma among gym members with overweight and obesity.
Natasha A. Schvey,Tracy Sbrocco,Jennifer L. Bakalar,Rachel Ress,Marissa Barmine,Jenna Gorlick,Abigail Pine,Mark B. Stephens,Marian Tanofsky-Kraff +8 more
- Vol. 2, Iss: 4, pp 292-306
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TLDR
Experiences of weight stigma at the gym are associated with poor emotional and physical health among individuals with overweight and obesity, and provision of a shame-free environment is an important consideration when selecting a gym.Abstract:
Persons with obesity face frequent instances of weight-related victimization and discrimination. To date, however, no research has assessed weight stigma within fitness facilities among a sample of gym members with overweight and obesity. Given the role of exercise in mitigating the health risks of obesity, it is vital to assess the presence of weight stigma within exercise facilities. We therefore assessed weight stigma within fitness facilities, factors affecting motivation to exercise, and factors that are important when selecting a gym. U.S. adult gym members with overweight and obesity completed online self-report measures of gym use, experiences of stigma within fitness settings, barriers to exercise, and gym preferences. Participants also completed measures of health and psychological functioning. Three hundred eighty-nine individuals (75% female, 53% White, 74% with obesity) participated. Adjusting for covariates, stigma at the gym was associated with negative attitudes toward the gym, maladaptive behaviors to cope with stigma, weight bias internalization, unhealthy weight control practices, and poorer self-reported physical and emotional health (ps < .05). Stigma at the gym was unrelated to self-reported frequency of gym use (p > .05). Experiences of weight stigma at the gym are associated with poor emotional and physical health among individuals with overweight and obesity. Respondents also indicated that provision of a shame-free environment is an important consideration when selecting a gym. Results may help to determine whether new gym policies to promote exercise among individuals with overweight and obesity are warranted.read more
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
Weight bias internalization and health: a systematic review
Rebecca L. Pearl,Rebecca M. Puhl +1 more
TL;DR: Key directions for future research are highlighted, including the need for prospective and experimental studies with greater sample diversity and interventions designed to reduce WBI and improve health.
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Weight stigma as a psychosocial contributor to obesity.
TL;DR: An overview of recent evidence examining links between experiences of weight stigma and weight-related behaviors and health, including health consequences for individuals with heightened vulnerability to weight stigma, and implications for clinicians working with individuals who have obesity.
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Weight Bias and Stigma: Public Health Implications and Structural Solutions
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Gender differences in the relationship of weight-based stigmatisation with motivation to exercise and physical activity in overweight individuals.
TL;DR: It is suggested that males and females are affected differently by weight-stigma experiences, with higher frequency of stigma experiences related to higher levels of walking and vigorous physical activity.
Journal ArticleDOI
Internalized weight stigma mediates and moderates physical activity outcomes during a healthy living program for women with high body mass index
TL;DR: Self‐directed stigma and holding negative attitudes about one's weight interferes with positive changes in PA outcomes, and healthy living programs may be less effective for those most vulnerable unless they aim to reduce IWS.
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