The Influence of Family and Media Pressure on Weight Loss During Adolescence on Self-Perception in Adulthood
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New research led by the University of Bristol has found that people who felt pressure to lose weight as teenagers from family or the media, females, individuals who are not heterosexual, and those experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage are most at risk of ‘internalised’ weight stigma. This study, published in The Lancet Regional Health Europe, is the first to use a large UK sample to examine who is most susceptible to this form of stigma. Feeling pressure from family to lose weight, experiencing weight-related teasing from family members, and feeling pressure from the media to lose weight as a teenager were all associated with higher levels of internalised weight stigma at age 31. Being bullied in adolescence and adulthood was also independently linked to internalised weight stigma at age 31. The study found clear variations in internalised weight stigma among different population groups, with females, non-heterosexual individuals, people who spent more time as NEETs in their 20s, and those whose mothers had fewer educational qualifications being at greater risk. Dr. Amanda Hughes, Research Fellow at the Bristol Medical School, highlighted the long-lasting impacts of family environment, bullying, and media pressure on how individuals value themselves based on their weight as adults. The researchers intend to delve into the psychological processes through which social factors influence internalised weight stigma in further detail. By understanding the mechanisms underlying this stigma, interventions and strategies can be developed to mitigate its impact and promote greater acceptance and support for individuals of all body types.
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