title: The Impact of Shame, Self-Criticism and Social Rank on Eating Behaviours in Overweight and Obese Women Participating in a Weight Management Programme.
abstract: Recent research has suggested that obesity is a stigmatised condition. Concerns with personal inferiority (social rank), shame and self-criticism may impact on weight management behaviours. The current study examined associations between social comparison (shame, self-criticism), negative affect and eating behaviours in women attending a community based weight management programme focused on behaviour change. 2,236 participants of the programme completed an online survey using measures of shame, self-criticism, social comparison, and weight-related affect, which were adapted to specifically address eating behaviour, weight and body shape perceptions. Correlation analyses showed that shame, self-criticism and social comparison were associated with negative affect. All of these variables were related to eating regulation and weight control (p < 0.001). Path analysis revealed that the association of shame, hated-self, and low self-reassurance on disinhibition and susceptibility to hunger was fully mediated by weight-related negative affect, even when controlling for the effect of depressive symptoms (p < 0.050 to p < 0.010). In addition, feelings of inadequacy and unfavourable social comparisons were associated with higher disinhibition and susceptibility to hunger, partially mediated through weight-related negative affect (p = 0.001). These variables were negatively associated with extent of weight loss during programme attendance prior to the survey, while self-reassurance and positive social comparisons were positively associated with the extent of weight loss prior to the survey (p < .050). Shame, self-criticism, and perceptions of inferiority may play a significant role in self-regulation of eating behaviour in overweight people trying to manage their weight.
authors.affiliation: Cognitive and Behavioural Centre for Research and Intervention, University of Coimbra, Rua do Colégio Novo, Apartado, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Cristiana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.affiliation: Cognitive and Behavioural Centre for Research and Intervention, University of Coimbra, Rua do Colégio Novo, Apartado, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matos
authors.affiliation: College of Life and Natural Sciences, University of Derby, Derby, United Kingdom.|Nutrition and Research Department, Slimming World, Somercotes, Alfreton, Derbyshire, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: R James
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Stubbs
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Research Unit, Kingsway Hospital, Derby, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Corinne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gale
authors.affiliation: Nutrition and Research Department, Slimming World, Somercotes, Alfreton, Derbyshire, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Liam
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: Cognitive and Behavioural Centre for Research and Intervention, University of Coimbra, Rua do Colégio Novo, Apartado, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Jose Pinto
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Gouveia
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Research Unit, Kingsway Hospital, Derby, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gilbert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D012752:Shame; D015431:Weight Loss