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Kennedy, G. A. (2020). An Investigation of the Impact of Weight Stigma on Binge-Eating Components in Adult Women. Retrieved from https://purl.lib.fsu.edu/diginole/2021_Fall_Kennedy_fsu_0071E_16042
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.
A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Bibliography Note
Includes bibliographical references.
Advisory Committee
Pamela K. Keel, Professor Directing Dissertation; Amy M. Burdette, University Representative; Elizabeth A. Plant, Committee Member; Norman B. Schmidt, Committee Member; Richard K. Wagner, Committee Member.
Publisher
Florida State University
Identifier
2021_Fall_Kennedy_fsu_0071E_16042
Kennedy, G. A. (2020). An Investigation of the Impact of Weight Stigma on Binge-Eating Components in Adult Women. Retrieved from https://purl.lib.fsu.edu/diginole/2021_Fall_Kennedy_fsu_0071E_16042