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Six‐Month Follow‐up from a Randomized Controlled Trial of the Weight BIAS Program
Author(s) -
Pearl Rebecca L.,
Wadden Thomas A.,
Bach Caroline,
Tronieri Jena S.,
Berkowitz Robert I.
Publication year - 2020
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.22931
Subject(s) - weight loss , weight stigma , internalization , randomized controlled trial , psychology , stigma (botany) , clinical psychology , obesity , weight gain , coping (psychology) , medicine , body weight , psychiatry , overweight , receptor
Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the 6‐month nonintervention follow‐up effects of a cognitive behavioral intervention for weight bias internalization (WBI; i.e., self‐stigma) combined with behavioral weight loss (BWL). Methods Adults with obesity and elevated WBI were previously randomized to receive BWL alone or in combination with the Weight Bias Internalization and Stigma program (BWL + BIAS). Participants attended weekly group meetings for 12 weeks, followed by two biweekly and two monthly meetings (26 weeks total). Follow‐up assessments were conducted at week 52. Changes on the Weight Bias Internalization Scale and Weight Self‐Stigma Questionnaire at week 52 were the principal outcomes. Other outcomes included changes in eating, coping, and weight. Results Of 72 randomized participants, 54 (75%) completed week 52 assessments. Linear mixed models showed improvements across groups, but no significant differences between groups, in week 52 change on the Weight Bias Internalization Scale ( P = 0.25) or Weight Self‐Stigma Questionnaire ( P = 0.27). BWL + BIAS participants reported significantly greater benefits than BWL participants on measures of eating and affective coping with weight stigma. Percent weight loss at week 52 did not differ significantly between groups (BWL + BIAS = −3.1% [SE 1.0%], BWL = −4.0% [SE 1.0%], P = 0.53). Conclusions Reductions in WBI did not differ between groups at 6‐month follow‐up. Further research is needed to determine the potential benefits of a stigma‐reduction intervention beyond BWL.