Sequentially mediated effects of weight-related self-stigma and psychological distress in the association between perceived weight stigma and food addiction among Taiwanese university students: A cross-sectional study

Huang PC 1 , Lee CH 2 , Griffiths MD 3 , O'Brien KS 4 , Lin YC 5 , Gan WY 6 Show all authors , Poon WC 7 , Hung CH 1 , Lee KH 8 , Lin CY 9

Affiliations 

  • 1 Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Rd., East Dist., Tainan, 701401, Taiwan
  • 2 Department of Nursing, Chung Shan Medical University, No. 110, Sec. 1, Jianguo N. Rd., South Dist., Taichung, 402306, Taiwan
  • 3 International Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, 50 Shakespeare Street, Nottingham, NG1 4FQ, UK
  • 4 School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, 20 Chancellors Walk, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
  • 5 Department of Early Childhood and Family Education, National Taipei University of Education, No. 134, Sec. 2, Heping E. Rd., Da'an Dist., Taipei, 106320, Taiwan. ylin11@mail.ntue.edu.tw
  • 6 Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 7 Sunway University Business School, Sunway University, Selangor Darul Ehsan, No. 5, Jalan Universiti, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
  • 8 Department of Emergency Medicine, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, No.1, Yida Rd, Yanchao District, Kaohsiung City, 824, Taiwan. peter1055@gmail.com
  • 9 Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Rd., East Dist., Tainan, 701401, Taiwan. cylin36933@gmail.com
J Eat Disord, 2022 Nov 21;10(1):177.
PMID: 36414956 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-022-00701-y

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Weight-related stigma has negative physiological and psychological impacts on individuals' quality of life. Stigmatized individuals may experience higher psychological distress and therefore increase the potential risk to develop obesity and/or food addiction. The present study examined the associations and mediated effect between perceived weight stigma, weight-related self-stigma, and psychological distress in explaining food addiction among Taiwanese university students.

METHODS: All participants (n = 968) completed an online survey which included the Perceived Weight Stigma Questionnaire, Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire, Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21, and Yale Food Addiction Scale Version 2.

RESULTS: After controlling for demographic variables, significant associations were found in the paths from (1) perceived weight stigma to weight-related self-stigma ([Formula: see text] = 0.23), psychological distress ([Formula: see text] = 0.35), and food addiction ([Formula: see text] = 0.23); (2) weight-related self-stigma to psychological distress ([Formula: see text] = 0.52) and food addiction ([Formula: see text] = 0.59); and (3) psychological distress to food addiction ([Formula: see text] = 0.59) (all p-values 

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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