What are weight bias measures measuring? An evaluation of core measures of weight bias and weight bias internalisation.

Sarah-Jane F Stewart,Jane Ogden

doi:10.1177/20551029211029149

Abstract

Research exploring weight bias and weight bias internalisation (WBI) is grounded upon several core measures. This study aimed to evaluate whether operationalisations of these measures matched their conceptualisations in the literature. Using a ‘closed card-sorting’ methodology, participants sorted items from the most used measures into pre-defined categories, reflecting weight bias and non-weight bias. Findings indicated a high degree of congruence between WBI conceptualisations and operationalisations, however found less congruence between weight bias conceptualisations and operationalisations, with scale-items largely sorted into non-weight bias domains. Recommendations for scale modifications and developments are presented alongside a new amalgamated weight bias scale (AWBS).

Highlights

Research has outlined the need for conceptualisations of weight bias and weight bias internalisation (WBI) to be articulated clearly (DePierre and Puhl, 2012; Lacroix et al, 2017; Stewart and Ogden, 2019)
Weight bias is poorly conceptualised within the literature, and research has validated the most commonly used WBI measurement scales, their psychometric properties are inconsistent (Pearl and Puhl, 2018)
It is necessary for research to establish whether scales for weight bias and WBI truly represent those constructs and are appropriate measurement tools

Summary

Introduction

Despite the consistency of research documenting the negative relationships between weight bias, weight bias internalisation (WBI) and various health-related outcomes (Jackson et al, 2015; Pearl and Puhl, 2018; Puhl and Brownell, 2001), whether measures of these constructs capture what they are aiming to measure remains a contentious issue and underpins research in this area (Meadows and Higgs, 2019). Research has outlined the need for conceptualisations of weight bias and WBI to be articulated clearly (DePierre and Puhl, 2012; Lacroix et al, 2017; Stewart and Ogden, 2019). Weight bias is poorly conceptualised within the literature, and research has validated the most commonly used WBI measurement scales, their psychometric properties are inconsistent (Pearl and Puhl, 2018). It is necessary for research to establish whether scales for weight bias and WBI truly represent those constructs and are appropriate measurement tools. Lacroix et al (2017) used the framework outlined by Cook et al (2014) to outline three ‘categories’ of weight bias, including structural, interpersonal and intrapersonal (internalised) weight bias

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Methods

Conclusion