Weight Stigma And Physical Activity Behaviors Among Adults

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) is one of the most influential and adaptable modifiable behaviors with the potential to reduce chronic disease risk for people of all sizes and ages. Only 24% of U.S. adults currently meet the PA Guidelines for Americans, indicating a critical need for improvement. Experienced (EWS) and internalized weight stigma (IWS) are two factors shown to impact PA behavior. However, a lack of research exists exploring weight stigma within common PA venues such as fitness centers, and how that may be associated with PA behavior among adults. PURPOSE: To explore the general prevalence of EWS and IWS prevalence of EWS within fitness spaces, and the overall association between EWS, IWS, and EWS in fitness spaces with adult PA behavior. METHODS: Quantitative, cross-sectional data from a mixed-methods study were analyzed. Adults (n=217; age=28.1 years; 78% female; 42% overweight; 24.9% BIPOC) reported on sociodemographics, EWS, IWS, EWS in fitness spaces, and PA behavior. Descriptive statistics were used to determine prevalence rates, and correlation analyses and regression models to identify associations between weight stigma variables and PA. RESULTS: On average, participants engaged in 6.0±3.18 hours per week of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA). Mean levels of EWS, IWS, and EWS in fitness spaces were considered low/mid-level at 4.8±8.58 on a scale from 0-90, 33.0±11.22 on a scale from 11-77, and 7.0±3.32 on a scale from 4-28, respectively. EWS, IWS, and EWS in fitness spaces were not significantly correlated with MVPA levels; however, EWS and IWS were both correlated with EWS in fitness spaces and with each other (p<0.001). After weight stigma variables were split into high vs. low/mid-levels, no significant difference in MVPA was present between high and low/mid-levels of EWS and IWS. However, a significant difference in MVPA levels was found between high (4.9±3.10 hours) and low/mid (6.2±3.12 hours) levels of EWS in fitness spaces (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The current findings suggest a need for interventions to eliminate EWS in contexts such as fitness spaces, where individuals are participating in activities to improve their health. While adults exhibit resiliency by engaging in PA despite high levels of EWS in fitness spaces, there is still potential for reducing barriers to PA within these spaces.