WHAT’S WEIGHING YOU DOWN? OBESITY AND WEIGHT BIAS INTERNALIZATION: AN EXPLORATORY INVESTIGATION ON THE CORRELATES OF WEIGHT BIAS INTERNALIZATION

Weight bias and the internalization of weight-based stereotypes have been linked to poor physical and mental outcomes but their associations are not well understood. Despite emerging literature on weight bias internalization (WBI) over recent years, little is known about its role in youth populations. Evidence in the local context is also lacking. With that, the current study explored correlates of WBI in adolescents with obesity and established a preliminary model of WBI. Participants included 199 males (69%) and 89 (31%) female adolescents aged 13 to 18 and their parents, who completed the following self-report questionnaires: Weight-Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS); Perception of Teasing Scale (POTS); 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21); Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire–Revised 18-item Version (TFEQ-R18). To explore the associations, structural equation modelling analysis was undertaken. The originally proposed model did not demonstrate significant associations between the variables, hence iterative modifications were performed. The resulting model which indicated significant associations, provided acceptable fit to the data (RMSEA = .074; CFI = .940, and SRMR = .054). Aligning with prior empirical studies, weight-based teasing experiences contributed to elevated WBI and emotional distress. The model suggests that WBI was directly associated with only restrained eating, and had indirect effects on uncontrolled eating and emotional eating through emotional distress. Findings from this study provided a much-needed window on the pathways of WBI in a Southeast Asian sample of adolescents with obesity, whilst underscoring potential treatment targets.

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• ONG YINING

• weight bias internalization
• weight-based teasing
• eating behaviors
• emotional distress