title: Associations of weight stigma with cortisol and oxidative stress independent of adiposity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Weight discrimination is associated with increased risk of obesity. The mechanism of this relationship is unknown, but being overweight is a highly stigmatized condition and may be a source of chronic stress that contributes to the development and pathophysiology of obesity. The objective of this study was to test whether weight stigma is associated with physiological risk factors linked to stress and obesity, including hypercortisolism and oxidative stress, independent of adiposity.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined the frequency of experiencing situations involving weight stigma and consciousness of weight stigma in relation to hypothalamic--pituitary--adrenal axis activity and oxidative stress (F₂-isoprostanes) in 45 healthy overweight to obese women.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Independent of abdominal fat, weight stigma was significantly related to measures of cortisol (including salivary measures of cortisol awakening response and serum morning levels) as well as higher levels of oxidative stress. Perceived stress mediated the relationship between weight stigma consciousness and the cortisol awakening response.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary findings show that weight stigma is associated with greater biochemical stress, independent of level of adiposity. It is possible that weight stigma may contribute to poor health underlying some forms of obesity.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles.
authors: A Janet
authors: AJ
authors: Tomiyama
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco.
authors: Elissa S
authors: ES
authors: Epel
authors: Baylor College of Medicine.
authors: Trissa M
authors: TM
authors: McClatchey
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco.
authors: Gina
authors: G
authors: Poelke
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco.
authors: Margaret E
authors: ME
authors: Kemeny
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Maine.
authors: Shannon K
authors: SK
authors: McCoy
authors: Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, University of California, San Francisco.
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Daubenmier
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D050177:Overweight / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013240:Stereotyping; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone