The relationship between weight bias internalization and healthy and unhealthy weight control behaviours

Weight bias internalization (WBI) is associated with disordered eating symptomology and motivation to control weight. The relationship between WBI and specific weight control behaviours and how these behaviours differ between men and women is not well understood. The objectives of this study are to determine (1) the relationship between WBI and weight control behaviours, (2) whether weight perception is independently associated with weight control behaviours, and (3) whether these relationships differ between men and women.

Canadian adults (N = 161; 52.8% women; body mass index [BMI] = 26.5 ± 4.99 kg/m²) completed questionnaires pertaining to WBI, weight control behaviours (healthy, unhealthy, extreme) and weight perception (accurate, under-, or over-estimation compared with objectively measured BMI). The cross-sectional relationship between (1) WBI or (2) weight perception with the total number of healthy and unhealthy or extreme weight control behaviours, and likelihood of performing specific weight control behaviours were assessed with linear, and logistic regression models, respectively. All analyses were conducted adjusting for age, gender, and race. Subsequent analyses were stratified by sex.

WBI was associated with an increased likelihood of performing exercise for weight loss (OR 2.28, p < 0.05); increased likelihood of skipping meals in women (OR 2.57, p < 0.01), and consuming little amounts of food and food substitutes in men (OR 2.28, p < 0.01 and OR 2.17, p < 0.05, respectively). Weight perception was not associated with weight control behaviours.

WBI was associated with various weight control behaviours. This study highlights the importance of assessing WBI in clinical practice with patients seeking to manage their weight. Future longitudinal research should be conducted to further understand the behavioural and health effects from WBI.

Cross-sectional descriptive study.