Eating Behaviors, Weight Bias, and Psychological Functioning in Multi-ethnic Low-income Adolescents.
Rana Halabi Najjar, Eufemia Jacob, Lorraine Evangelista
PMID 29167087WHAT IT FOUND
Weight stigma was reported by 58% of 105 low-income adolescents, severe body-shape concern by 31.5%, and high distress by 21%.
Those with eating disorders had the highest stigma, dissatisfaction, and distress.
Key findings
01In 105 adolescents, 58% reported at least one stigmatizing experience, 31.5% had severe body-shape concern, and 21% had high psychological distress.
02Higher BMI was associated with more weight bias, body dissatisfaction, and psychological distress, while household income was not significantly correlated.
03The eating disorder group reported much higher body dissatisfaction than the other eating behavior groups and had the highest levels of psychological distress.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study measured eating behavior, weight bias, body dissatisfaction, and distress at one time, so it cannot show that weight bias caused disordered eating or distress. The sample was small and came from low-income neighborhoods in one metropolitan area, so results may not apply to other settings. Many participants, especially younger adolescents, found the eating behavior questionnaire hard to use, and the study did not use face-to-face interviews with adolescents and parents. The weight bias scale was modified for adolescents but had not undergone factor analysis. Hispanic participants were grouped together, which may hide differences within that group. Other factors such as media, culture, family, and social support were not measured.
Declared interests
The authors report no declarations of interest and no actual or potential conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that weight bias caused disordered eating or psychological distress. The study measured these at one time and cannot show direction, and the high eating disorder rate may also reflect self-report questionnaire challenges and a small sample.