173. Weight dissatisfaction is associated with low-grade inflammation and self-reported chronic stress for women but not men

Abstract

Previous research on dissatisfaction with body weight has focused primarily on psychological consequences and the relationship to disordered eating behaviors in females. The present study aimed at examining sex differences in the role of negative feelings about weight on psychological as well as physiological health outcomes. Participants were 25 female and 14 male college students (age: 20.46 ± 2.32 years) with average BMI of 23.22 ± 3.8. Participants self-reported perceived chronic stress and weight-specific body esteem. As a physiological health marker, CRP levels were assessed in dried blood spots. While no sex differences were found for BMI, females had higher CRP levels ( t = 2.14, p = .04) and lower weight body esteem ( t = −2.30, p = .03). Controlling for BMI, women with higher weight dissatisfaction reported more stress while for men, stress levels were independent from feelings about weight (beta = .37, p = .04). While women with more negative feelings about weight had higher CRP levels than those with higher body esteem, there was no relationship for men (beta = .35, p = .066). Findings support the idea that low body esteem, specifically weight dissatisfaction, may be a chronic stressor for females. Weight dissatisfaction was further linked to chronic low-grade inflammation, thus suggesting a mechanism linking current weight concerns to future negative health outcomes. Weight concerns did not contribute to chronic stress or inflammation in men. This may suggest gender differences in the role of body esteem in the development of stress-related disease.