title: Differential effects of weight bias experiences and internalization on exercise among women with overweight and obesity.
abstract: This study investigated the effects of experiences with weight stigma and weight bias internalization on exercise. An online sample of 177 women with overweight and obesity (M(age) = 35.48 years, M(BMI) = 32.81) completed questionnaires assessing exercise behavior, self-efficacy, and motivation; experiences of weight stigmatization; weight bias internalization; and weight-stigmatizing attitudes toward others. Weight stigma experiences positively correlated with exercise behavior, but weight bias internalization was negatively associated with all exercise variables. Weight bias internalization was a partial mediator between weight stigma experiences and exercise behavior. The distinct effects of experiencing versus internalizing weight bias carry implications for clinical practice and public health.
authors: Yale University, USA rebecca.pearl@yale.edu.
authors: Rebecca L
authors: RL
authors: Pearl
authors: Yale University, USA.
authors: Rebecca M
authors: RM
authors: Puhl
authors: Yale University, USA.
authors: John F
authors: JF
authors: Dovidio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D057545:Social Stigma
keywords: exercise; obesity; overweight; self-efficacy; stigma