The everyBODY study – Improving weight bias internalisation and weight management in young women with overweight and obesity

Abstract

Weight bias/stigma is discrimination on the basis of body size, and body dissatisfaction refers to the often intense negative thoughts and feelings about one’s body. Young women are particularly vulnerable to weight bias, which, when internalised (weight bias internalisation), has been associated with harmful levels of body dissatisfaction and significant physical and psychological morbidity. It is also known that responses to weight bias can sabotage long-term weight loss success. Despite this, few studies have evaluated the effect of addressing weight bias and weight bias internalisation in weight loss interventions, and fewer have investigated weight management interventions designed specifically for young women. As such, this thesis explores whether weight bias internalisation can be reduced in young women (18-25y) with overweight and obesity, and if this is associated with improved weight management in this group. The thesis also investigates novel dietary interventions, including the use of Chrononutrition, for weight management which specifically targets young women and their unique lifestyles, with the overarching aim of improving long term weight loss and health trajectories.