Stigmatizing images in the media - a cross-national survey

Anti-fat attitudes among Spanish general population: Psychometric properties of the anti-fat attitudes scale

Weight discrimination is one of the worst forms of prejudice and is deeply rooted in society. The aim of this study was to adapt the anti-fat attitudes scale (AFA) to the Spanish general population. The sample consisted of 1248 participants from the Spanish community population. They were recruited through the internet and participated voluntarily. Women (77.8%) were more predominant than men. Regarding body weight categories, 5.3% were underweight, 43.5% were normal-weight, 24.9% were overweight and 26.3% had obesity. A cross-validation method with an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the three-factor structure of the AFA. The Spanish version of the AFA showed a satisfactory internal consistency for all three factors, as well as adequate test-retest reliability after a 1-month interval. Finally, the Spanish version of the AFA seems to be an adequate tool to assess negative attitudes towards obesity in both clinical and research settings. Men presented more negative attitudes towards obesity and were convinced that obesity is under someone's control. Women presented more fear of gaining weight. Normal-weight people were those who discriminated more. Participants with overweight or obesity suffered more fear of gaining weight. There was no intra-group discrimination between individuals with overweight and obesity.

Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the weight bias internalization scale

Objective

The weight bias internalization scale (WBIS) is widely used in several languages. However, there is no Japanese version of the WBIS. The purpose of this study is to develop a Japanese version of the WBIS and to verify its reliability and validity. We translated the original version of the WBIS and had approval from the scale developer. Adults who perceived themselves to be obese completed online baseline survey (N = 285) and two-week follow-up survey (N = 100). We used the Japanese WBIS and scales for obesity-related quality of life, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and depression. We calculated Cronbach’s alpha and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) to assess reliability of the WBIS and conducted confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and correlation analysis to assess its validity.

Results

Cronbach’s alpha was 0.91 at baseline and 0.92 at follow-up, and the ICC was 0.87. CFA showed that a one-factor model demonstrated an acceptable fit (χ2 (44) = 158.6, CFI = 0.93, RMSEA = 0.096, SRMR = 0.051), similar to the original version. As we had hypothesized, overall, the Japanese version of the WBIS was significantly correlated with obesity-related quality of life, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and depression. These results confirmed its adequate reliability and validity.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13104-022-06221-x.

Influence and effects of weight stigmatisation in media: A systematic

BACKGROUND

The lack of a comprehensive understanding of the role of mass media in perpetuating weight stigma hinders policy formulation. We reviewed the influence of mass media on weight stigmatisation and the effectiveness of media-based interventions designed to prevent or reduce stigma.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review across seven databases from inception to December 2021. Included studies assessed exposure to or impact of weight stigma in mass media or examined interventions to reduce stigma through media in populations 12+ years. We synthesised data narratively, categorising studies based on similarity in focus to produce a set of integrated findings. The systematic review is registered in PROSPERO (No. CRD42020176306).

FINDINGS

One-hundred-and-thirteen records were eligible for inclusion from 2402 identified; 95 examined the prevalence of stigmatising content in mass media and its impact on stigma. Weight stigma was prevalent across media types, with the dominant discourse viewing overweight and obesity as an individual responsibility and overlooking systemic factors. Exposure to stigmatising content was found to negatively influence attitudes towards people with overweight or obesity. Few studies considered methods of reducing stigma in the media, with only two testing media-based interventions; their results were promising but limited.

INTERPRETATION

Weight stigma in media content is prevalent and harmful, but there is little guidance on reducing it. Future research focus needs to shift from assessing prevalence and impacts to weight stigma interventions.

FUNDING

None.

Obesity: a Ghost at the Feast of the Sustainable Development Goals

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Despite its rapidly rising global prevalence, obesity is not featured in any of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This review highlights the multiple points at which obesity is affected by the Goals.

RECENT FINDINGS

At least 14 out of the 17 thematic SDG targets play a role in driving the obesity epidemic, including health, food, education, water quality, land and ocean quality, urbanisation and employment. Although the SDGs recognise the need to reduce 'malnutrition in all its forms', the Goals underplay the role of urbanisation and unregulated markets on dietary health. Furthermore, adherence to the SDGs may be weak and compromised by conflicted interests. Nonetheless, governments have shown that they can, when pressed, respond to health challenges, and we anticipate how the rise in the numbers of people experiencing excess bodyweight may itself lead to greater demand for collective responsibility to ensure our environments are fully health-creating.