Could Weight Stigma Affect Metabolic Syndrome Risk?

In a new study published in Obesity, researchers hypothesized that obese individuals who internalize weight-related stigmas would have an increased risk for metabolic syndrome.

Recently, several studies have focused on the relationship between weight stigma, or weight bias internalization (WBI), and poor physical health, proposing that chronic stressors caused by internalized stigma could heighten blood pressure and cortisol reactivity, and contribute to binge eating and low physical activity in obese individuals.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RELATED CONTENT
Primary Care-Based Weight Management Program Benefits Adolescent Girls
CV Risk for Obese Children Greater than Originally Thought
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For the current study, researchers collected Weight Bias Internalization Scal and Pateint Health Questionnaire results from 159 adults, 88.1% of whom were women, and 67.3% were black. The weight loss trial sought to test the effects of a 1-year weight-loss maintenance program. Participants not on medications that would affect weight-loss or with no history of bariatric surgery, severe depression, suicidal thoughts, or medical conditions that would impact the participants’ ability to complete the weight-loss program were recruited for the study.

During an initial screening visit, blood pressure, waist circumference, height and weight were measured, and blood was drawn to measure fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. 

Overall, the researchers’ findings showed mixed results between metabolic syndrome and weight bias internalization. “However, the odds of having metabolic syndrome were significantly heightened among participants categorized as having high (versus low) levels of WBI,” the researchers wrote.

High triglycerides and use of medication for dyslipidemia was associated with WBI, but there were no significant associations found between blood pressure, glucose, or other cardiometabolic risk factors.

“Nevertheless, these findings highlight the importance of informing the public that weight stigma—including self-directed stigma—is stressful and may contribute to poor health. Further research is needed to develop and test the effects of interventions that aim to reduce WBI among individuals with obesity,” the researchers concluded.

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

Pearl RL, Wadden TA, Hopkins CM, et al. Association between weight bias internalization and metabolic syndrome among treatment-seeking individuals with obesity [published online January 26, 2017]. Obesity. doi:10.1002/oby.21716.