title: Weight stigma mediates the association between BMI and self-reported health.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Weight stigma is pervasive in the United States. We tested the hypothesis that stigma may be a mechanism through which obesity negatively affects self-reported health. Two studies examined whether perceived weight-based discrimination and concerns over weight stigma mediated the association between BMI and self-reported psychological health (Study 1) and physical health (Study 2).
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2 online studies, adult community members completed measures of stigma-relevant mediators (perceived weight discrimination, weight stigma concerns) and provided their height and weight. In Study 1 (N = 171) participants also completed measures of psychological health (depression, self-esteem, quality of life), whereas participants in Study 2 (N = 194) also completed a measure of self-reported physical health. Process modeling was used to simultaneously test for mediation through perceived discrimination and stigma concerns independently as well as for serial mediation through both variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Across both studies, we hypothesized and found support for serial mediation such that BMI was indirectly related to poorer self-reported health through its effect on perceived discrimination and concerns about stigma. Additionally, concerns about stigma mediated the association between BMI and health independent of perceived discrimination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Weight stigma is an important mediator of the association between BMI and self-reported health. Furthermore, results indicate that concerns about facing stigma in the future mediate the link between perceived past experiences of discrimination and psychological and physical health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences.
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hunger
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences.
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Major
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology; D010465:Perception; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D057566:Self Report; D063508:Social Discrimination; D057545:Social Stigma