A network analysis of internalized weight bias, core eating disorder symptoms, and shared vulnerabilities

Weight stigma is a form of discrimination against and a devaluation of people in higher weight bodies. Weight stigma occurs across body sizes but is most frequently targeted towards people in larger bodies. When weight stigma becomes internalized (i.e., internalized weight bias; IWB), negative weight-related stereotypes become part of one's identity. IWB is associated with binge eating and body dissatisfaction, however, the precise pathways through which IWB and eating disorders (EDs) relate are unknown. The moral emotions shame, guilt, and worry are core ED symptoms and are associated with IWB. In the current study (N = 1276 students) we aimed to replicate prior networks of IWB and ED symptoms and investigate moral emotions as possible bridge (e.g., pathway) symptoms. We hypothesized that IWB and ED symptoms would be highly interconnected, and that shame, guilt, and worry would connect IWB and ED symptoms. Hypotheses were pre-registered. We created two models, one of ED symptoms and IWB and the second model including shame, guilt, and worry, to identify bridge symptoms. We identified I hate myself for my weight, weight concerns, and shape concerns as the most central symptoms. We also identified shame, worry, and I hate myself for my weight as bridge symptoms between ED symptoms and IWB. Our findings suggest that these bridge symptoms could form pathways between IWB and ED symptoms. Future research is needed to identify if interventions focused on shame, worry, and self-hatred based on weight disrupt the relationship between IWB and ED symptoms.