Abstract

Introduction: Weight bias internalization (WBI) is associated with disordered eating symptomology and motivation to control weight. However, the relationship between WBI and specific weight control behaviours and how these behaviours differ between men and women is not well understood. Weight perception has also been shown to be associated with weight control, but has been understudied in adult populations. The objectives of this study were 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 sexes.
Methods: Canadian adults (N=161; 52.8% women; mean 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. These regression models were adjusted for age, sex, race and weight perception. Subsequent analyses were stratified by sex.
Results: WBI was associated with an increased likelihood of performing exercise for weight control in the full sample (OR=2.20, p<0.05); increased likelihood of skipping meals in women (OR=2.51, p<0.01), and consuming little amounts of food in men (OR=2.33, p<0.01). Weight perception was not associated with weight control behaviours.
Conclusions: WBI was associated with various weight control behaviours and differed by sex. This study highlights WBI and its relationship with weight control behaviours. Future longitudinal research should be conducted to further understand the behavioural and health effects of WBI.