Abstract
We proposed a model to examine the relationship among different types of weight-related stigmas and their relationship to quality of life (QoL). We recruited 430 dyads of elementary school children [mean age = 10.07 years; nboy = 241 (56.0%); noverweight = 138 (32.1%)] and their parents. Parents completed QoL instruments about their children assessing generic QoL and weight-related QoL. Children completed QoL instruments assessing generic QoL and weight-related QoL and stigma scales assessing experienced weight stigma, weight-related self-stigma, and perceived weight stigma. Experienced weight stigma was significantly associated with perceived weight stigma, and in turn, perceived weight stigma was significantly associated with weight-related self-stigma. However, experienced weight stigma was not directly associated with weight-related self-stigma. In addition, experienced stigma was negatively associated with both child-rated and parent-rated QoL. Perceived weight stigma was associated only with parent-rated weight-related QoL but not child-rated QoL. Self-stigma was associated with child-rated QoL but not parent-rated QoL. Moreover, perceived weight stigma and weight-related self-stigma were significant mediators in the association between body weight and children's QoL; experienced weight stigma was not a significant mediator. The study findings can be used to inform healthcare providers about the relationship among different types of stigmas and their influence on child-rated and parent-rated QoL and help them develop interventions to address the global trend of overweight/obesity in youth and pediatric populations.
Highlights
The trend in obesity in youth and pediatric populations significantly increased from 1999 to 2000 through 2015– 2016 (Hales et al, 2017)
The results indicated that the increased weight-related experienced stigma, rather than weight status, negatively affected both global and domain-specific health-related QoL (HRQoL) in middle childhood (Guardabassi et al, 2018)
For dyads of children and parents recruited from Non-government organization (NGO), children and parents completed the questionnaires in a quiet room in the NGOs under a research assistant’s supervision without disturbance
Summary
The trend in obesity in youth and pediatric populations significantly increased from 1999 to 2000 through 2015– 2016 (Hales et al, 2017). It has reached epidemic levels in the United States (Sanyaolu et al, 2019). Children with obesity are likely to stay with obesity into adulthood and have a greater risk of suffering from weight-related health problems (Sahoo et al, 2015). Many studies have shown the association between childhood obesity and physical (e.g., Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, etc.) and psychosocial (e.g., depression, anxiety, socially isolating, etc.) problems (Bass and Eneli, 2015; Bacha and Gidding, 2016)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
