Weight stigma, depression, and negative appearance commentary: Exploring BMI as a moderator.

Abstract

The current study investigated body mass index (BMI) as a moderator of the relationship between negative weight-based attitudes and depressive symptoms and between negative attitudes and the impact of negative appearance commentary in a sample of college women. Examining BMI as a moderator in these relationships, we hypothesized that individuals with more negative weight-based attitudes would report a stronger negative impact from negative weight or shape commentary and higher levels of depressive symptoms if they had higher BMIs. Two moderated multiple regression analyses were conducted using hierarchical models. Study hypotheses were supported. Results indicated that BMI moderated the relationship between negative weight-based attitudes and depressive symptoms and between negative attitudes and the impact of negative weight or shape commentary. Individuals with highly negative weight-based attitudes and high BMIs showed high levels of depressive symptoms and reported a strong negative impact of negative weight or shape commentary, whereas those with lower BMIs showed lower levels of depressive symptoms and reported a weaker negative impact of negative weight or shape commentary. The presence of this moderation effect extends current research on the negative impact of weight stigma on mental health. Future research should examine additional moderators in the relationships among these variables to identify areas to target in weight stigma interventions.