1. Associations between weight self‐stigma and healthy diet and physical activity among adults with type 2 diabetes: Cross‐sectional results from the second Diabetes MILES – Australia (MILES‐2) study.
- Author
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Manallack, Sarah, Holloway, Edith E., Pouwer, Frans, Speight, Jane, and Holmes‐Truscott, Elizabeth
- Abstract
Aims: To examine associations between weight self‐stigma and healthy diet or physical activity, and potential moderating effects of self‐esteem, diabetes self‐efficacy, and diabetes social support, among adults with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Diabetes MILES‐2 data were used, an Australian cross‐sectional online survey. Participants with type 2 diabetes who considered themselves overweight, and reported concern about weight management (N = 726; 48% insulin‐treated), completed the Weight Self‐Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ; total score and subscales: self‐devaluation, fear of enacted stigma), measures of diabetes self‐care (diet, exercise), and hypothesised psychosocial moderators (self‐esteem, diabetes self‐efficacy, and diabetes social support). Adjusted linear regression tested associations and interaction effects, separately by insulin treatment status. Results: Greater weight self‐stigma (WSSQ total) was associated with less optimal dietary self‐care (both groups: β = −0.3), and with a lower level of exercise (non‐insulin only: β = −0.2; all p < 0.001). All hypothesised moderators were negatively associated with weight self‐stigma (range r = −0.2 to r = −0.5). Positive associations were identified between the hypothesised moderators and self‐care behaviours (strongest between diet and diabetes self‐efficacy, r = > 0.5). No significant interaction effects were observed. Conclusions: This study provides novel evidence of negative associations between weight self‐stigma and self‐care behaviours among adults with type 2 diabetes. Weight self‐stigma is a demonstrated barrier to self‐care behaviours in type 2 diabetes cohorts. Acknowledgement and strategies to address weight self‐stigma are needed in clinical care and health programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2025
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