Department of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK.
Int J Obes (Lond). 2021 Jun;45(6):1259-1270. doi: 10.1038/s41366-021-00791-9. Epub 2021 Mar 3.
Whilst the consequences of weight bias and weight bias internalisation (WBI) have been explored, less is known about the factors contributing to their development. Some research has explored the role of social exposure in weight bias and WBI but has been limited in its definition of exposure and focused solely on western countries. The present study therefore aimed to assess the role of social exposure defined in terms of both population and personal exposure in predicting weight bias and WBI, in an international sample.
Participants (N = 1041) from 33 countries, aged 18-85 years completed online measures of demographics, weight bias, WBI, and population and personal social exposure. Population exposure was defined using national obesity prevalence data from the World Health Organisation to classify countries as low (obesity rates ≤19.9%; n = 162), medium (20.0-29.9%; n = 672) or high prevalence (≥30%; n = 192). Personal exposure was defined in terms of personal contact and health and attractiveness normalisation.
Using regression analysis, greater weight bias was significantly predicted by being younger, male, less educated, and personal exposure in terms of normalisation beliefs that thinner body types are healthier and more attractive, greater daily exposure and overall exposure to thinner friends. The strongest predictors of weight bias (adj R = 13%) were gender (β = -0.24, p < .001), and personal exposure in terms of normalisation beliefs that thinner body types are more attractive (β = -0.13, p = .001). The strongest predictors of WBI (adj R = 6%) were attractiveness normalisation (β = -0.23, p < 0.001) and participants' perceived body shape (β = -0.27, p < 0.001). Population exposure did not predict either weight bias or WBI.
Personal exposure is more important than population exposure in predicting both weight bias and WBI. Findings hold implications for improving the wellbeing and lived experiences of those living with overweight and obesity.
虽然体重偏见和体重偏见内化（WBI）的后果已经被探讨过，但对于导致这些后果的因素知之甚少。一些研究已经探索了社会暴露在体重偏见和 WBI 中的作用，但研究范围有限，且仅关注西方国家。因此，本研究旨在评估以人口和个人暴露来定义的社会暴露在预测国际样本中的体重偏见和 WBI 中的作用。
来自 33 个国家/地区、年龄在 18-85 岁之间的参与者在线完成了人口统计学、体重偏见、WBI 以及人口和个人社会暴露的测量。人口暴露是使用世界卫生组织的国家肥胖患病率数据来定义的，将国家分为低（肥胖率≤19.9%；n=162）、中（20.0-29.9%；n=672）或高（≥30%；n=192）患病率。个人暴露是根据个人接触和健康和吸引力正常化来定义的。
使用回归分析，较年轻、男性、受教育程度较低以及个人接触中更瘦体型更健康和更有吸引力的正常化信念、每日接触和接触更瘦朋友的总接触量与更大的体重偏见显著相关。体重偏见的最强预测因素（调整后的 R²=13%）是性别（β=-0.24，p<0.001）和个人接触中更瘦体型更有吸引力的正常化信念（β=-0.13，p=0.001）。WBI 的最强预测因素（调整后的 R²=6%）是吸引力正常化（β=-0.23，p<0.001）和参与者感知的体型（β=-0.27，p<0.001）。人口暴露不能预测体重偏见或 WBI。
个人暴露比人口暴露更能预测体重偏见和 WBI。研究结果对改善超重和肥胖人群的幸福感和生活体验具有重要意义。
