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. 2020;13(3):386-402.
doi: 10.1159/000507936. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Weight Stigma Experiences and Physical (In)activity: A Biographical Analysis

Ansgar Thiel  1 , Jannika M John  2 , Johannes Carl  3 , Hendrik K Thedinga  2
Affiliations

Weight Stigma Experiences and Physical (In)activity: A Biographical Analysis

Ansgar Thiel et al. Obes Facts. 2020.

Abstract

Introduction: People with obesity often report experiences of weight-related discrimination. In order to find out how such experiences throughout the life course are related to physical activity behavior, we exploratively studied activity-related biographies of people with obesity from a social constructivist perspective.

Methods: We collected biographical data of 30 adults (mean age 37.66 years; 14 males and 16 females) with obesity (average BMI 40.64, including a range from 33 to 58) using a biography visualization tool that allows participants to map developmental courses and critical life experiences over their life course.

Results: Participants remembered a continuous decrease of physical activity from childhood to mid-adulthood. Weight-related discrimination, both in sport and non-sport settings, was especially experienced in adolescence and mid-adulthood. Against the background of our findings, we assume that the degree of felt stigma rather than the stigmatizing behavior itself influences physical activity behavior over the life course.

Conclusion: The results of our exploratory study reiterate the detrimental effect weight stigma can have on health behaviors. Initiatives are needed to reduce weight stigma in exercise contexts; additionally, initiatives to promote physical activity should focus on helping individuals with obesity to establish coping strategies to reduce the experienced burden from weight stigma.

Keywords: Activity barriers; Biographical mapping; Discrimination; Obesity; Physical activity; Weight stigma.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare regarding this study.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Exemplary mapping grid.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Curve courses.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Gender differences in curve courses.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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