Weight-related stigmatization and binge eating among overweight adults in Southern Taiwan.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the level of weight-related stigmatizing experiences and binge eating in overweight adults in southern Taiwan.


METHODS
This study design was a cross-sectional questionnaire survey with convenience sample. A total of 141 questionnaires were analyzed.


RESULTS
The study showed that 97.9% participants had at least one weight-related stigmatizing experience in their lifetime. The main sources of weight-related stigmatizing experiences were from either parents, relatives or doctors. BMI and age were significantly correlated with weight-related stigmatizing experiences. Furthermore, about 19.9% of participants experienced binge eating. The scores of the weight-related stigmatizing experiences and binge eating were positively correlated (r=0.33, p<0.01). The scores of the weight-related stigmatizing experiences and monthly income significantly explained factors of binge eating.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings showed that there is a need to develop interventions to assist overweight people cope with weight-related stigmatization and prevent binge eating in the future.
College of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, No.100, Shi-Chuan 1st Rd., San Ming District, Kaohsiung 80707, Taiwan, ROC.
Ya-Ke
YK
Wu
College of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, No.100, Shi-Chuan 1st Rd., San Ming District, Kaohsiung 80707, Taiwan, ROC. Email: gn94yliu@kmu.edu.tw.
Yi
Y
Liu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002032:Bulimia / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents; D010820:Physicians; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D055815:Young Adult