title: Influences of general self-efficacy and weight bias internalization on physical activity in bariatric surgery candidates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Physical activity (PA) seems to be important for long-term weight loss after bariatric surgery; however, studies provide evidence for insufficient PA levels in bariatric patients. Research found self-efficacy to be associated with PA and weight bias internalization, for which an influence on mental and physical health has been shown in recent studies. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of general self-efficacy on PA, mediated by weight bias internalization.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 179 bariatric surgery candidates, general self-efficacy, weight bias internalization, and different intensities of PA were assessed by self-report questionnaires. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the assumed mediational relationship.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After controlling for sociodemographic variables, weight bias internalization fully mediated the association between general self-efficacy and moderate-intense as well as vigorous-intense PA. Lower general self-efficacy predicted greater weight bias internalization, which in turn predicted lower levels of moderate-intense and vigorous-intense PA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest an influence of weight bias internalization on preoperative PA in bariatric surgery candidates. Subsequently, implementation of interventions addressing weight bias internalization in the usual treatment of bariatric surgery candidates might enhance patients' preoperative PA, while longitudinal analyses are needed to further examine its predictive value on PA after bariatric surgery.
authors: Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany; Department for Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: claudia.huebner@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Hübner
authors: Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany; Department for Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: Sabrina
authors: S
authors: Baldofski
authors: Department for Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Zenger
authors: Department of General Surgery, Asklepios Clinic, Hamburg, Germany.
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Tigges
authors: Schön Klinik Hamburg Eilbek Bariatric Clinic, Hamburg, Germany.
authors: Beate
authors: B
authors: Herbig
authors: Department of General Surgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Jurowich
authors: Department of Visceral, Pediatric, and Vascular Surgery, Hospital Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Kaiser
authors: Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: Arne
authors: A
authors: Dietrich
authors: Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany; Department for Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: Anja
authors: A
authors: Hilbert
mesh_terms: D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D057234:Preoperative Period; D020377:Self Efficacy; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: Mediation; Physical activity; Self-efficacy; Weight bias internalization