Exploring the Role of Internalized Weight Bias as a Metric of Cumulative Social Disadvantage Among People With Obesity or Overweight: Insights From the OBSERVE Study

TL;DR

This study explores how internalized weight bias relates to social disadvantages among people with obesity or overweight in the U.S.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into how internalized weight bias contributes to cumulative social disadvantage.

Findings

Black and multiracial participants had significantly lower internalized weight bias scores than White participants.

Participants facing weight-related negative social interactions had higher internalized weight bias scores.

Internalized weight bias is linked to other social determinants of health, suggesting a need for patient-centered care.

Abstract

Experiencing bias and stigma are social determinants of health (SDoH). Recently, internalized weight bias (IWB) has been included as an SDoH in obesity medicine. This study examined the association of IWB with other pillars of SDoH and how IWB contributes to cumulative social disadvantage for people living with obesity.

A cross‐sectional, web‐based survey was conducted in the United States (May–December 2022) with a sample of adults with obesity or overweight. Multiple linear regression was performed to evaluate the relationship between WSSQ (higher score indicating experiencing more IWB) and other pillars of SDoH.

Participants who reported race as Black (adjusted mean difference [95% CI] −3.86 [−5.21, −2.52]; p < 0.001) or multiracial (−3.26 [−5.37, −1.16]; p = 0.002) had significantly lower total WSSQ scores than those who self‐identified as White race. Participants who experienced negative social interactions due to weight had significantly higher total WSSQ scores (7.04 [5.81, 8.27]; p < 0.001) than those who did not.

The study showed that IWB is associated with certain other pillars of SDoH. Findings highlight the need for a comprehensive and patient‐centric approach to managing individuals with greater IWB, which may contribute to a higher cumulative social disadvantage and, consequently, worse health outcomes.