The relationship between weight stigma, weight bias internalization, and physical health in military personnel with or at high-risk of overweight/obesity

摘要

Perceived weight stigma is associated with adverse health indices, such as elevated cortisol, lipid/glucose dysregulation, and poorer self-rated health. This relationship may be particularly relevant for military personnel, given the cultural emphasis on fitness and weight/shape. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between weight stigma and physical health in 117 active duty personnel (66.7% male; 56.4% non-Hispanic White; age: 30.8 +/- 7.4 years; BMI: 29.5 +/- 2.5 kg/m(2)). Participants reported weight stigma (general and military-specific), weight bias internalization, and the presence (= 1; n = 55) or absence (n = 62) of medical conditions. Logistic regressions were conducted examining the ability of weight stigma (general or military-specific) and weight bias internalization to predict the presence or absence of medical conditions. General weight stigma was not significantly associated with the presence of a medical condition (p .05). However, individuals with military-specific weight stigma scores twice that of their peers were over three times more likely (p = .04) to report a medical condition. Weight bias internalization was not significant in any model (ps .20). Longitudinal studies should prospectively examine the relationship between weight stigma in the military setting and health among service members. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.