Body Checking and Body Image Avoidance as Partial Mediators of the Relationship between Internalized Weight Bias and Body Dissatisfaction

Brooke L. Bennett (), Allison F. Wagner and Janet D. Latner
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Brooke L. Bennett: Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT 06103, USA
Allison F. Wagner: Counseling and Psychological Services, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
Janet D. Latner: Department of Psychology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822-2294, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 16, 1-8

Abstract: Internalized weight bias is associated with body image disturbances and the development of disordered eating. The association between weight bias internalization and body dissatisfaction has proven difficult to disrupt. In order to develop more effective interventions, we must identify the behavioral targets which account for this robust association. The present study sought to examine whether body checking and body image avoidance mediate the relationship between weight bias internalization and body dissatisfaction. In total, 279 female undergraduates ( M age = 20.13, SD = 4.10) were administered a battery of survey measures. Results demonstrated that body checking partially mediates the relationship between weight bias internalization and body dissatisfaction, Z = 7.42, p < 0.001. Body image avoidance was also found to partially mediate the relationship between weight bias internalization and body dissatisfaction, Z = 70.03, p < 0.001. These findings suggest that body checking and body image avoidance may both partially account for the association between weight bias internalization and body dissatisfaction. These findings extend the existing literature on weight bias internalization by highlighting two behavioral targets for prevention and intervention efforts. Understanding these relationships has important implications for both reducing weight bias internalization and improving body dissatisfaction.

Keywords: body dissatisfaction; body image; weight bias internalization; body checking; body image avoidance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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