The effect of weight stigma on daily disordered eating and potential resilience factors

PROJECT SUMMARY Disordered eating, encompassing both cognitive (e.g. body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, preoccupation with losing weight) and behavioral factors (e.g. counterproductive behaviors like laxative use, binge eating, and vomiting for weight control), is particularly harmful given its association with metabolic risk factors. Weight

stigma has emerged as a risk factor for disordered eating, and over 200 million Americans have a body mass index that puts them at risk for experience weight stigma. However, there are three major gaps in the literature. Prior work has examined associations between weight stigma and disordered eating behaviors via

observational and longitudinal methods, and thus whether weight stigma causes disordered eating is unknown. Moreover, research has not examined the presence of disordered eating symptoms in everyday life after exposure to weight stigma. Finally, potential social resilience factors remain unexplored. Therefore, the current

study will combine experimental manipulation with daily diary methodology to evaluate the causal effect of weight stigma on daily disordered eating symptoms and test belonging and group identification as social resilience factors that confer protection against disordered eating. This project will capitalize on the

infrastructure of Sponsor Tomiyama’s parent R01 (R01HL158555) and will add comprehensive measurement of disordered eating symptoms in 300 overweight (BMI  28) adult participants recruited from the greater Los Angeles area to address two aims: 1) Assess the causal effects of weight stigma on disordered eating

symptoms in daily life and 2) Investigate social resilience factors that provide protection against disordered eating symptoms. This study will help to understand the impact of weight stigma and identify resilience factors to prevent disordered eating. The current proposal could aid in identifying those who may be more vulnerable

to disordered eating as a consequence of weight stigma, or identify future intervention strategies, and in turn, promote metabolic health. Throughout the fellowship period, with the support of Sponsor Dr. A. Janet Tomiyama and Collaborators Drs. Craig Enders, Theodore Robles, and Kendrin Sonneville, I will be working to achieve four training aims: 1)

Master advanced quantitative analysis skills, specifically in multilevel modeling and growth curve analysis, 2) Expand knowledge in disordered eating, specifically in adulthood, 3) Develop expertise in social resilience factors, and 4) Prepare for a career as an independent researcher. I will accomplish these goals by attending

and participating in lab meetings and workshops, presenting my work at academic conferences, and enrolling in coursework. Further, I will be focusing on four subaims that will prepare me for a career as an extramurally funded researcher at an R1 institution, including engaging in open science, executing evidence-based

practices in mentoring, building grant writing skills, and practicing scientific dissemination.