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Prospective Evaluation of Internalized Weight Bias and Weight Change Among Successful Weight‐Loss Maintainers
Author(s) -
Olson KayLoni L.,
Lillis Jason,
Graham Thomas J.,
Wing Rena R.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.22283
Subject(s) - weight loss , medicine , weight gain , weight change , observational study , prospective cohort study , obesity , demography , physical therapy , body weight , gerontology , sociology
Objective Internalized weight bias (IWB) has been associated with weight regain after intentional weight loss, but reliance on cross‐sectional data limits the understanding of this relationship. This study prospectively evaluated IWB as a predictor of weight change in a longitudinal observational study of successful weight‐loss maintainers. Methods National Weight Control Registry participants (maintained 13.6‐kg weight loss for ≥ 1 y) were asked to complete an online questionnaire including current weight and Weight Bias Internalization Scale‐Modified (WBIS‐M) at baseline and 12 months. Results At baseline, 1,250 of 1,643 eligible individuals completed the baseline assessment (71% female; 94% white; mean age ± SD: 52 y ± 13.1; BMI: 27 ± 5.5). The average WBIS‐M score was 3.0 (± 1.3). Study completers ( n = 862) reported 2.2% (± 7.8%) weight gain. Higher baseline IWB predicted weight gain among men ( n = 254; t = −2.28; P = 0.02) but not women ( n = 608; t = 1.22; P = 0.22). A one‐point reduction in WBIS‐M score at follow‐up was associated with a 3.0% weight loss. Conclusions Among weight‐loss maintainers, IWB may be a risk factor for weight gain among men. Weight loss at follow‐up was associated with reduced IWB in both men and women. Reliance on female‐only samples may limit our understanding of IWB and its implications for weight control.