Weight Stigma in Adolescents With Obesity From Low-Income Backgrounds: Qualitative Perspectives From Adolescents and Caregivers.

Abstract

Purpose: Weight stigma is a common experience for adolescents at high weight statuses. Prior research regarding experiences of weight stigma in adolescence has been in primarily homogenous samples. The present study sought to characterize weight stigma experiences and internalization in adolescents from low-income backgrounds. This was done by reporting on teen's experiences of weight stigma in daily life and in conversations with health-care professionals, and examining the effect of internalization of this stigma.

Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted with adolescents with high weight from low-income backgrounds who had been referred to weight management, as well as their caregivers. Data was analyzed using applied thematic analysis.

Results: Fifty-five participants (29 adolescents and 26 caregivers) from low-income backgrounds participated in semi-structured interviews. Given the broader focus of the primary study, weight stigma was not a focus of interviews. However, almost all participants identified weight stigma and bias as influencing their lives and medical care. Identified themes included the following: (1) difficulty identifying preferences regarding weight-related terminology; (2) commonality of experienced weight stigma; and (3) significant effect of internalized weight bias on adolescent daily living.

Discussion: Overall, the present study identified nearly ubiquitous experiences of weight stigma for a sample of youth from low-income backgrounds living in larger bodies. This highlights the pervasive presence of weight stigma and bias throughout adolescents' lives, including in health-care settings. These findings are particularly stark, given that weight stigma was not a topic within the interview guide.