The Implications of Weight Bias Internalization

There is now a wealth of evidence that demonstrates weight bias is reported by people of all ages and backgrounds, and discrimination has been evidenced across a range of settings including workplaces, schools, and education centres, and in healthcare. The potential impacts of weight bias are varied, including but not limited to, compromised psychosocial wellbeing, depressed mood, social isolation, and lower self-esteem. More recently research has demonstrated that weight bias internalisation is reported by higher weight people, with some reports suggesting that there is an association between weight bias internalisation and self-reported health, quality of life, and maladaptive health behaviours such as physical inactivity. Further work to identify the link between weight bias internalisation and health outcomes is warranted, and in particular, research that examines this association using objective measures of physical and mental health outcomes. Research that evidences these links is still in their infancy and further work to identify the implications of weight bias internalisation is needed given the widespread reports of weight bias and discriminatory experiences.

We encourage submissions to this Research Topic that seek to understand or address the influences and effects of weight bias internalisation. Sample topics may include implications for physical and mental health outcomes, patient engagement in health services, service access and adherence, and interventions. We particularly welcome multidisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary research that focuses on patient experiences, health outcomes, and mechanisms to reduce internalisation.

The aim of this Research Topic is to gather the most recent research findings from experts in the field to evidence the impact of weight bias internalisation. To achieve this aim, this Research Topic will feature research that advances current knowledge on the impact of weight bias internalisation. Submissions of empirical, theoretical, methodological, opinion pieces, and commentaries are welcome.