Introduction: People with obesity experience stigma and discrimination for their physical appearance and weight. Data is limited among stigmatization and prejudices among Hispanics (HISP) and non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) and Blacks (NHB) with obesity and diabetes in the U.S. We compare prejudices, stigma and internal negative bias in these groups.
Methods: Observational study conducted at two academic centers, including adults > 18ys, and BMI ≥30 kg/m2. We assessed prejudices with Anti-Fat Attitudes (AFA), stigmatizing experiences with Brief Stigmatizing Situations Inventory (SSI-B), and internalization of negative weight bias with Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS) surveys.
Results: Among 233 participants (age 55.3±13 years, 62% females, BMI 37±6.4, 48% HISP, 10% NHW, 42% NHB), 73% and 22% had the perception of being individuals with overweight (OW) and obesity (OB), respectively. HISP had a higher AFA score (p<0.001) compared to NHW and NHB. SSI-B score was similar across groups. NHW had a higher WBIS score compared to HISP and NHB (p=0.01).
Conclusions: Adults with obesity and diabetes in the U.S., HISP had higher aversion/prejudices towards people with obesity, NHW had higher internalization of negative bias, while stigmatizing experiences were not different across groups.
Table 1. Demographic Characteristics and Surveys Scores among Adults with Obesity and Diabetes
R.J. Galindo: Consultant; Abbott. Other Relationship; Dexcom, Inc. Consultant; Bayer Inc. Other Relationship; Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Company. Consultant; Boehringer-Ingelheim, AstraZeneca. Z. Zabala: None. G. Arevalo: None. B. Moazzami: None. A. Lecube: None. A.A. Rashied: None. G. Umpierrez: Research Support; Abbott, Bayer Inc., Dexcom, Inc., AstraZeneca. Advisory Panel; Dexcom, Inc.
National Institutes of Health (P30DK111024 (RJG, GEU), and K23DK123384 (RJG) and R03DK138255 (RJG))
