Separating binge-eating disorder stigma and weight stigma: A vignette study.
Kayla B Hollett1, Jacqueline C Carter1,2
1Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
The International Journal of Eating Disorders
|January 22, 2021
Summary
Binge-eating disorder (BED) carries significant stigma, leading to negative personality perceptions and emotions, independent of weight. This research clarifies BED stigma, distinct from weight stigma, informing public health initiatives.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Research on binge-eating disorder (BED) stigma is limited, often confounded by weight stigma due to study design.
- Existing studies lack methodological rigor and control vignettes, hindering accurate assessment of BED-specific stigma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the stigma associated with BED, controlling for weight status.
- To differentiate BED stigma from weight stigma and examine their interplay.
Main Methods:
- 421 participants read vignettes describing a woman with or without BED, and with no specified, recommended, or obese weight.
- Questionnaires assessed personality stereotypes, emotional reactions, social distance, and blame attributions.
Main Results:
- The character with BED received more negative personality attributions and less positive emotional reactions, irrespective of weight.
- Stigma related to social distance and blame was not significantly associated with BED.
- BED presence moderated weight stigma, reducing blame attributions for characters with obesity, indicating no additive effect.
Conclusions:
- BED is a highly stigmatized disorder, with stigma potentially stemming from eating behaviors rather than solely body size.
- Future research should disentangle BED and weight stigma.
- Findings offer insights for anti-stigma campaigns and public health policies.
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