Internalized Weight Stigma and Weight Discrimination: Associations with Quality of Life and Psychosocial Impairment in a Sample Living with Food Insecurity

Sabrina E. Cuauro (), Natalia Santos, Estefania Andrade, Anoushka W. Dani, Saivone N. Sanchious, Savannah C. Hooper and Carolyn Black Becker
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Sabrina E. Cuauro: Department of Psychology, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA
Natalia Santos: Department of Psychology, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA
Estefania Andrade: Department of Psychology, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA
Anoushka W. Dani: Department of Psychology, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA
Saivone N. Sanchious: Department of Psychology, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA
Savannah C. Hooper: Department of Psychological and Brain Science, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
Carolyn Black Becker: Department of Psychology, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 24, 1-17

Abstract: Research suggests that experiencing weight discrimination is associated with a lower quality of life and poor psychological and physical health. However, much of the existing weight discrimination literature has neglected under-represented groups. Little is known about how the experience of weight discrimination affects quality of life and eating/weight-related psychosocial impairment in those living with food insecurity. The present study investigated the associations of weight discrimination and eating/weight-related psychosocial impairment and quality of life. We examined internalized weight stigma and several psychological indicators as potential mediators. Participants ( N = 1085) who were recruited from a local food bank completed a questionnaire assessing food insecurity, weight discrimination, internalized weight stigma, eating disorder pathology, anxiety, depression, eating/weight-related psychosocial impairment, and quality of life. Overall, almost one in four participants reported experiencing weight discrimination. Our serial mediation models indicated that increased experiences of weight discrimination were associated with greater internalized weight stigma and psychopathology, which were in turn associated with lower quality of life and greater eating/weight-related psychosocial impairment. Thus, experiencing weight discrimination may negatively impact quality of life and eating/weight-related psychosocial impairment through its effect on mental health. It is imperative to address the negative effects of the widespread discrimination of people based on their weight.

Keywords: weight discrimination; food insecurity; quality of life; psychosocial impairment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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