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Weight Stigma Experiences and Physical (In)activity: A Biographical Analysis.
Ansgar Thiel1, Jannika M John2, Johannes Carl3
1Institute of Sports Science, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany, ansgar.thiel@uni-tuebingen.de.
Obesity Facts
|July 1, 2020
Summary
Weight stigma significantly impacts physical activity in individuals with obesity, leading to decreased engagement from childhood through adulthood. Felt stigma, not just the behavior, influences long-term activity levels.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Obesity is frequently associated with weight-related discrimination.
- Understanding the life course impact of weight stigma on physical activity is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the relationship between life-course weight-related discrimination experiences and physical activity behavior in adults with obesity.
- To investigate the influence of social constructivist perspectives on activity-related biographies.
Main Methods:
- Biographical data collected from 30 adults with obesity (mean BMI 40.64) using a biography visualization tool.
- Participants mapped developmental courses and critical life experiences over their lifespan.
Main Results:
- A continuous decrease in physical activity was reported from childhood to mid-adulthood.
- Weight-related discrimination was most prominent during adolescence and mid-adulthood.
- The degree of felt stigma, rather than the stigmatizing behavior itself, appears to influence physical activity over the life course.
Conclusions:
- Weight stigma detrimentally affects health behaviors, particularly physical activity, in individuals with obesity.
- Interventions should aim to reduce weight stigma in exercise settings and support coping strategies for individuals with obesity.
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