Cargando…

Experienced weight stigma, internalized weight bias, and clinical attrition in a medical weight loss patient sample

BACKGROUND: Limited research has explored the relationship between weight bias and clinical attrition, despite weight bias being associated with negative health outcomes. PARTICIPANTS/METHOD: Experienced weight stigma (EWS), internalized weight bias (IWB), and clinical attrition were studied in a Me...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Verhaak, Allison M. S., Ferrand, Jennifer, Puhl, Rebecca M., Tishler, Darren S., Papasavas, Pavlos K., Umashanker, Devika
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Nature Publishing Group UK 2022
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8852855/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35173281
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41366-022-01087-2
Descripción
Sumario:BACKGROUND: Limited research has explored the relationship between weight bias and clinical attrition, despite weight bias being associated with negative health outcomes. PARTICIPANTS/METHOD: Experienced weight stigma (EWS), internalized weight bias (IWB), and clinical attrition were studied in a Medical Weight Loss clinic, which combines pharmacological and behavioral weight loss. Patient sociodemographic, medical, and psychological (depression) variables were measured at consultation, and clinic follow-ups were monitored for 6 months. IWB was assessed with the Weight Bias Internalization Scale Modified (WBIS-M). RESULTS: Two-thirds (66%) of study participants returned for follow-up appointments during the 6-month period (“continuers”), while 34% did not return after the initial consultation (“dropouts”). Clinic “dropouts” had higher WBIS-M scores at initial consultation than “continuers,” (χ(2)(1) = 4.56; p < 0.05). No other variables were related to clinical attrition. Average WBIS-M scores (4.57) were similar to other bariatric patient studies, and were associated with younger age (t = −2.27, p < 0.05), higher depression (t = 2.65, p < 0.01), and history of EWS (t = 2.14, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Study findings indicate that IWB has significant associations with clinical attrition. Additional research is warranted to further explore the relationships between EWS, IWB, and medical clinic engagement.