Beyond the physical: The interplay of experienced weight stigma, internalised weight bias and depression in lipoedema

Abstract

This study explored experienced weight stigma, internalised weight bias and depressive symptom severity in lipoedema, a chronic health condition that primarily affects women and involves painful and disproportionate adipose tissue. This study utilised an international cross-sectional online survey involving N = 1070 women over 18 years old (M_age = 48.9 years old) with self-reported diagnosed or suspected lipoedema. Participants completed measures of demographic and health characteristics, experienced weight stigma, internalised weight bias and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9). Chi-square analysis showed experienced weight stigma differed between those with stage 1 (n = 57), stage 2 (n = 311), Stage 3 (n = 664) and stage unknown (n = 38) lipoedema. Hierarchical linear regression determined the effects of weight stigma on depression and the mediating role of internalised weight bias. Experienced weight stigma (p < .001) and internalised weight bias (p < .001) were related to depressive symptoms beyond age and symptoms of lipoedema (BMI, lipoedema symptom severity and mobility). Internalised weight bias partially mediated the effect of experienced weight stigma on depression. Psychological attributes of experienced weight stigma and internalised weight bias uniquely contribute to depressive symptoms in lipoedema. Increased awareness of the psychological effects of weight stigma and the role of internalised weight bias in women's experience of lipoedema on depression is needed.