Weight stigmatization and disordered eating in obese women : The mediating effects of self-esteem and fear of negative appearance evaluation

• Authors: ALMENARA Carlos Arturo; AIME Annie; MAIANO Christopher; EJOVA Anastasia; GUEVREMONT Guylaine; BOURNIVAL Chantal
• Year of publication: 2017
• Type: Article in Periodical
• Magazine / Source: Revue Européenne de Psychologie Appliquée
• MU Faculty or unit: Faculty of Social Studies
• Web: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.erap.2017.02.004
• Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.erap.2017.02.004
• Field: Psychology
• Keywords: disordered eating; fear of negative appearance evaluation; obesity; self-esteem; stigmatization
• Description: Objective The aim of this study is to examine whether self-esteem and fear of negative appearance evaluation are significant mediators in the association between weight-related self-devaluation and disordered eating. Method A sample of obese Canadian women (N = 111, M age = 40.9, SD = 10.2) completed the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the Fear of Negative Appearance Evaluation Scale (FNAES), and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q). Results Self-esteem mediated the relationship between weight-related self-devaluation and restraint and weight concerns, whereas fear of negative appearance evaluation mediated the relationship with weight, shape and eating concerns. Conclusion Since, for obese women, self-esteem and fear of negative appearance evaluation are likely to maintain disordered eating, they should be more frequently taken into consideration by researchers, health professionals and public policy stakeholders.

Related projects

• CELSPAC: Central European Longitudinal Study of Pregnacy and Childhood
• The thin line between disorder and a healthy lifestyle: Investigating the online behavior of today’s youth