Weight Stigmatization and Binge Eating in Asian Americans with Overweight and Obesity

Ya-Ke Wu, Diane C. Berry and Todd A. Schwartz
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Ya-Ke Wu: School of Nursing, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7460, USA
Diane C. Berry: School of Nursing, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7460, USA
Todd A. Schwartz: School of Nursing, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7460, USA

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-14

Abstract: Weight stigma and binge eating have been found to be associated in Western populations; however, this relationship is understudied among Asian Americans. The aims of the study were to (1) investigate the prevalence of binge eating and its relationship with experienced weight stigma in higher-weight Asian Americans, and (2) examine whether the level of acculturation moderates this relationship. Data were collected from a cross-sectional study with 166 higher-weight Asian American adults living in North Carolina, United States. Demographic data, the frequency of experiencing weight stigma, the severity of binge eating, the levels of acculturation, the perceived racism against Asians, and perceived stress were assessed via self-reported questionnaires. The results indicated that experienced weight stigma was a significant independent predictor over and above the effects of other stressors, such as racism and general stress. The level of acculturation did not influence the relationship between the experienced weight stigma and binge eating after adjusting for relevant covariates. Our findings contribute to the limited literature examining weight stigma and binge eating among Asian American populations, highlighting that higher levels of experienced weight stigma are associated with a greater degree of binge eating.

Keywords: weight stigma; binge eating; Asian Americans; obesity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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