Body image is associated with persistence. A study of the role of weight-related stigma

AbstractThe study replicates a preliminary report from 2019 on therelationship between body image and persistence.PurposeThe aim of our study was to analyze the associations between body image, persistence, and body weight stereotypes.Patients and methodsA total of 750 individuals were recruited for...

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Main Authors: Wojciech Styk, Ewa Wojtowicz, Paweł Glibowski, Katarzyna Iłowiecka, Aleksanda Jędryszek-Geisler, Szymon Zmorzyński
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-10-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1464939/full
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author Wojciech Styk
Ewa Wojtowicz
Paweł Glibowski
Katarzyna Iłowiecka
Aleksanda Jędryszek-Geisler
Szymon Zmorzyński
author_facet Wojciech Styk
Ewa Wojtowicz
Paweł Glibowski
Katarzyna Iłowiecka
Aleksanda Jędryszek-Geisler
Szymon Zmorzyński
author_sort Wojciech Styk
collection DOAJ
description AbstractThe study replicates a preliminary report from 2019 on therelationship between body image and persistence.PurposeThe aim of our study was to analyze the associations between body image, persistence, and body weight stereotypes.Patients and methodsA total of 750 individuals were recruited for the study. The research was carried out in computer labs. The procedure consisted of psychological questionnaires (Persistence Scale, The Body Esteem Scale, Perceived Weight Stigma Questionnaire, Weight Bias Internalization Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Formal Characteristics of Behavior – Temperament Inventory, and NEO-PI-R) and The Maze Test (a computer tool). After completing the Simple Maze Test, saliva samples were collected. Next, the subjects proceeded to the laboratory where anthropometric and body composition measurements were taken. The hormone levels (cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone) in the collected saliva samples were analyzed via ELISA to determine stress.ResultsBody image and persistence are related variables. They are associated with the internalization of stereotypes and perceived stigma related to body weight. These associations are differentially shaped according to sex and the regularity of body weight. In women, a stronger association of these variables with body image was observed, while in men, the relationship with body image was weaker, with a stronger association shown by perceived weight-related stigma. In the group of participants with a BMI<18.5, there was no significant association between the internalization of stereotypes and the analyzed variables. This relationship appeared in the group of subjects with a normal body weight and was strongest in the group of participants who were overweight or obese. Perceived weight-related stigma was most strongly associated with body image in the group with BMI<18.5 kg/m2 and with persistence in the group with BMI>25 kg/m2.ConclusionBody-related stigma affects not only overweight and obese individuals and its mechanisms may be shaped differently.
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spelling doaj-art-adb3e7fee6ed4f8cbc8e5d8c28d1c97c2025-08-20T03:06:47ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402024-10-011510.3389/fpsyt.2024.14649391464939Body image is associated with persistence. A study of the role of weight-related stigmaWojciech Styk0Ewa Wojtowicz1Paweł Glibowski2Katarzyna Iłowiecka3Aleksanda Jędryszek-Geisler4Szymon Zmorzyński5Academic Laboratory of Psychological Tests, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, PolandChair of Pedeutology and Psychology of Education, Christian Theological Academy of Warsaw, Warsaw, PolandDepartment of Biotechnology, Microbiology and Human Nutrition, Faculty of Food Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, PolandNutrition Clinic, Department of Clinical Dietetics Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, PolandDepartment of Psychology, Institute of Pedagogy and Psychology, Management Academy of Applied Sciences in Warsaw, Warsaw, PolandLaboratory of Genetics, Academy of Zamość, Zamość, PolandAbstractThe study replicates a preliminary report from 2019 on therelationship between body image and persistence.PurposeThe aim of our study was to analyze the associations between body image, persistence, and body weight stereotypes.Patients and methodsA total of 750 individuals were recruited for the study. The research was carried out in computer labs. The procedure consisted of psychological questionnaires (Persistence Scale, The Body Esteem Scale, Perceived Weight Stigma Questionnaire, Weight Bias Internalization Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Formal Characteristics of Behavior – Temperament Inventory, and NEO-PI-R) and The Maze Test (a computer tool). After completing the Simple Maze Test, saliva samples were collected. Next, the subjects proceeded to the laboratory where anthropometric and body composition measurements were taken. The hormone levels (cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone) in the collected saliva samples were analyzed via ELISA to determine stress.ResultsBody image and persistence are related variables. They are associated with the internalization of stereotypes and perceived stigma related to body weight. These associations are differentially shaped according to sex and the regularity of body weight. In women, a stronger association of these variables with body image was observed, while in men, the relationship with body image was weaker, with a stronger association shown by perceived weight-related stigma. In the group of participants with a BMI<18.5, there was no significant association between the internalization of stereotypes and the analyzed variables. This relationship appeared in the group of subjects with a normal body weight and was strongest in the group of participants who were overweight or obese. Perceived weight-related stigma was most strongly associated with body image in the group with BMI<18.5 kg/m2 and with persistence in the group with BMI>25 kg/m2.ConclusionBody-related stigma affects not only overweight and obese individuals and its mechanisms may be shaped differently.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1464939/fullpersistencebody imagebody mass indexweight stigmastresscortisol
spellingShingle Wojciech Styk
Ewa Wojtowicz
Paweł Glibowski
Katarzyna Iłowiecka
Aleksanda Jędryszek-Geisler
Szymon Zmorzyński
Body image is associated with persistence. A study of the role of weight-related stigma
Frontiers in Psychiatry
persistence
body image
body mass index
weight stigma
stress
cortisol
title Body image is associated with persistence. A study of the role of weight-related stigma
title_full Body image is associated with persistence. A study of the role of weight-related stigma
title_fullStr Body image is associated with persistence. A study of the role of weight-related stigma
title_full_unstemmed Body image is associated with persistence. A study of the role of weight-related stigma
title_short Body image is associated with persistence. A study of the role of weight-related stigma
title_sort body image is associated with persistence a study of the role of weight related stigma
topic persistence
body image
body mass index
weight stigma
stress
cortisol
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1464939/full
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