Author : Grace A. Kennedy
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 64 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (133 download)
Book Synopsis An Investigation of the Impact of Weight Stigma on Binge-eating Components in Adult Women by : Grace A. Kennedy
Download or read book An Investigation of the Impact of Weight Stigma on Binge-eating Components in Adult Women written by Grace A. Kennedy and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page 64 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: BACKGROUND: Exposure to weight stigma increases food consumption in individuals who are-or perceive themselves to be-overweight, and such exposure predicts greater odds of binge eating. To date, however, no study has experimentally tested if exposure to stigmatizing anti-obesity public health campaigns elicits key components of binge-eating behavior: increased food consumption and loss of control (LOC) over eating. The current study sought to elucidate the association between weight stigma and binge-eating components via experimental design and examine whether increases in shame account for these associations. METHOD: Nonsmoking women (N= 92) with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 kg/m2 were randomized to either a weight stigma condition [public service announcement (PSA) about harms of obesity] or a parallel control condition (PSA on smoking). After viewing PSAs, participants were invited to freely consume snacks in an ad lib meal and then provide immediate ratings of LOC eating. Participants completed momentary ratings of shame and other affective states before and after the PSAs. RESULTS: Participants in the weight stigma condition consumed significantly less food than those in the control condition but had greater increases in shame. Although conditions did not differ significantly in the experience of LOC eating, the weight stigma condition indirectly elicited LOC eating in the ad lib meal via increased shame. DISCUSSION: Findings provide support that weight-targeted health campaigns are experienced as stigmatizing by women with high BMIs. In the short-term, weight stigma PSAs may produce the intended effect of reducing food intake, but the cost to the emotional and psychological health of the viewer likely outweighs the benefit.