Abstract

Introduction: Weight bias is a social justice issue in Canada. It is perpetuated by negative attitudes about individuals with obesity and about the causes of obesity. Research on the association between explicit and internalized weight bias and physical activity and sedentary behaviour is limited, especially among population-based samples. Data on weight bias internalization (WBI) and beliefs about the causes of obesity among Canadians is also lacking.
Objectives: The primary objectives of this study were to describe the level of WBI among Canadians and describe how Canadians attribute obesity to different causes; and to examine the relationships between weight bias and physical activity and sedentary behaviour.
Methods: A sample of Canadian adults (N = 942; 51% female; mean body mass index [BMI]= 27.3 ± 6.7 kg/m2) completed an online survey. Questionnaires included the Anti-Fat Attitudes Questionnaire, Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale, Causes of Obesity Questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and the Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire.
Results: WBI scores (3.38 ± 1.58) were higher among females and individuals with higher BMIs (p < 0.001 for all). Participants mainly endorsed behavioural causes of obesity. WBI was associated with more weekly hours of sedentary behaviour (B = 0.85, p < .001). Explicit weight bias was associated with more weekly minutes of vigorous physical activity (B = 12.87, p < .05).
Conclusions: This study highlights WBI as a problem that is associated with adverse health behaviours among all individuals across the weight spectrum. Future research should investigate the longitudinal impact of weight bias on health behaviours.