Abstract
Although previous evidence suggests that happiness is lower among individuals with obesity, research on the correlates of subjective well-being (SWB) is warranted to increase our knowledge. We aim to explore excess weight (i.e., measured and self-reported body mass index (BMI)), body image and satisfaction, self-stigma, positivity, and happiness among Spanish adults with overweight or obesity. We further aim to investigate the predictors of SWB in this sample. A convenience sample of 100 individuals with excess weight completed self-reports on the study variables and were weighed and their height measured. On average, the participants reported body perceptions revealing minor excessive weight, moderate body satisfaction, low-to-moderate weight-related stigma, and elevated positivity and happiness. BMI and gender/sex independently affected these variables, but there were no significant interaction effects. Furthermore, individuals with overweight or obesity with higher body satisfaction and elevated positivity were more likely to report being happy, independent of their age, gender/sex, weight, and weight-related stigma. Mediation effects were found for body satisfaction and positivity in the relationship between weight and happiness. Moreover, positive orientation suppressed the pervasive influence of stigma on SWB. Our findings confirm the key role of body image dimensions and weight-related stigma for happiness and add support to the relevance of positivity for overall well-being of individuals with excess weight. These results may inform obesity management actions focused on inclusive aesthetic models, combating social stigmatization and enhancing positivity for a flourishing and fulfilling life.
Highlights
Given that body image is widely recognized as an important public health concern because of the increasing worldwide incidence of negative body perceptions and body dissatisfaction [1], it is essential to understand body image issues among individuals with excessive weight
We explore the experiences of excess weight (i.e., body mass index (BMI)), body image perceptual and evaluative–subjective dimensions, self-stigma, positivity, and happiness in adults with overweight or obesity, as well as the associations among these variables
While others have not found an influence of BMI on stigma among individuals with excess weight [10,11,23], some research exists on the positive relationship between weight and weight self-stigma [47], and we found that participants with obesity showed marginally higher self-stigma compared to individuals with overweight
Summary
Given that body image is widely recognized as an important public health concern because of the increasing worldwide incidence of negative body perceptions and body dissatisfaction [1], it is essential to understand body image issues among individuals with excessive weight. Research on body image and body satisfaction in individuals with excess weight is extensive [2,3]. Most people with excess weight perceive themselves as a person with overweight or obesity, even when they do not have completely accurate perceptions of their weight. A positive correlation between body mass index (BMI) and body dissatisfaction has been found. A considerable number of persons with overweight and obesity are dissatisfied with their bodies and wish they were thinner [3,4,5]. Women with obesity are significantly more dissatisfied with their bodies compared to men with obesity [3,5]
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