Abstract
Objective
This study tested a novel group-based, cognitive-behavioral intervention designed to reduce internalized weight stigma among individuals with obesity.
Methods
A total of eight men and women with obesity who had experienced weight stigma and reported high levels of internalized weight stigma attended the Weight Bias Internalization and Stigma (BIAS) Program. The program provided eight weekly sessions of cognitive-behavioral treatment to cope with weight stigma. Participants completed questionnaires pre- and post-intervention, including the Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS), Fat Phobia Scale, Weight Efficacy Life-Style Questionnaire (WEL), and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Six additional participants were included in a quasi-control group that received no intervention until after completing all study measures.
Results
Participants in the Weight BIAS Program reported significantly greater decreases in WBIS and Fat Phobia scores, and greater increases in WEL scores than participants in the quasi-control group (ps < .04). Changes in BDI-II scores did not differ between groups. Treatment-acceptability ratings were high among participants who received the intervention.
Conclusion
Including cognitive-behavioral strategies to address weight stigma in weight management programs could potentially reduce internalized weight stigma and enhance treatment outcomes.
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Notes
One participant in the intervention group had a BMI of 29.7 kg/m2.
Post-intervention weights were not obtained for two quasi-control group participants.
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TAW discloses serving on advisory boards for Novo Nordisk, Nutrisystem, and Weight Watchers, as well as receiving grant support, on behalf of the University of Pennsylvania, from Eisai Pharmaceutical Co. None of the other authors declares any conflicts.
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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.
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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.
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Pearl, R.L., Hopkins, C.H., Berkowitz, R.I. et al. Group cognitive-behavioral treatment for internalized weight stigma: a pilot study. Eat Weight Disord 23, 357–362 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-016-0336-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-016-0336-y