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BACKGROUND: Weight bias internalization (WBI) is associated with poor weight-related health and psychological health problems in adults. However, less is known about WBI in Thai youths, and its associated factors are scarce. This study aimed to assess the association between psychological, weight-related factors, and WBI among Thai youths. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional design was conducted on 1185 university youths from three universities in northeastern, Thailand from January to June 2023, with multistage sampling methods. The data were collected by self-administered questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression was applied to explore factors that influence WBI. RESULTS: Most of the youth were female; with the average body mass index (BMI) was 23.3 ± 3.2 kg/m2. More than half (n = 628; 52.9%) of them reported a high level of WBI that was present across the weight spectrum. Approximately 41.4% (n = 490) reported being dissatisfied with their body image, and 50.6% (n = 600) had peers with obesity. WBI was positively related to depressive symptoms, perceived stress, the experience of weight stigma, BMI, and body image dissatisfaction. Conversely, it was negatively related to self-esteem and peers with obesity. CONCLUSION: WBI is influenced by several psychological and weight-related factors. Additionally, youths across body weight categories could be vulnerable to high WBI. Hence, consideration of these potential factors could be useful in designing targeted interventions to reduce WBI.

Background: Weight bias internalization (WBI) is a serious challenge because of its negative impact on psychological consequences. Although the cognitive-behavioral intervention has been applied to reduce WBI, little is known about its effectiveness among Thai obese youth. Thus, this study sought to determine the effects of a cognitive-behavioral group counseling (CBGC) program on WBI and psychological outcomes in obese youths. Study Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Eighty obese youths were randomly allocated to two intervention (n = 40) and control (n = 40) groups. The intervention group received a CBGC program in three sessions with ten activities, while the control group performed their usual counseling process. Data were collected through standardized interviewers with a structured interview questionnaire. The chi-square test, independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, repeated measure ANOVA, and multivariate linear regression were applied for data analyses. Results: At the follow-up visit, the intervention group had a significant decrease in the mean of WBI, depression, and perceived stress and an increased mean of self-esteem compared to the control group. After adjusting baseline characteristics and baseline outcome values, the intervention also significantly improved WBI (B = -6.82, P < 0.001), depression (B = -4.17, P < 0.001), perceived stress (B = -6.01, P < 0.001), and self-esteem (B = 5.07, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The CBGC program effectively reduced WBI, depression, and perceived stress while improving self-esteem among obese youths. This study recommends that group counseling programs be employed as part of a counseling process for obese youth who have experienced WBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Youth with overweight and obesity are susceptible to weight bias internalization (WBI) and tend to experience impaired quality of life (QOL). However, the evidence regarding the relationship between WBI and QOL remains scarce among Thai youth. Thus, this study aimed to assess the association between WBI and QOL among Thai youth with overweight and obesity. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was conducted with 667 university youths with overweight and obesity from northeastern Thailand selected by a multistage sampling method. A self-reported questionnaire was used for data collection. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to examine the association between WBI and QOL. RESULTS: More than half of the youths (51.4%) were females with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 26.5 kg/m² (SD = 2.5). More than one third (37.8%) of the participants had a high level of WBI, and 48.9% reported being dissatisfied with their body image. Our results indicate higher BMI and greater WBI, and body image dissatisfactions were strongly associated with worse QOL overall and across all domains (physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment) after adjusting for all covariates. CONCLUSIONS: WBI, BMI, and body dissatisfaction play an important role in impaired QOL. Thus, the development of intervention strategies or programs should consider the reduction of these factors as a key component of care or treatment for youth with overweight and obesity to improve QOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaginal birth is a natural process, but maternal pushing is an essential factor in the mechanism and process of delivery. This systematic review examined the evidence comparing the effectiveness of two methods of pushing techniques (spontaneous pushing versus Valsalva pushing) on maternal and neonatal outcomes in the second stage of labor. A literature search of Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and ThaiJo for articles published between 2012 and 2023 revealed 12 studies with a focus on maternal pushing during the second stage, but four with neonatal outcomes (APGAR scores) and maternal outcomes (fatigue and duration of labor). Meta-analysis of the four studies did not support the benefit of spontaneous pushing in reducing the duration of labor but did support spontaneous pushing in lessening maternal fatigue two hours postpartum. Spontaneous pushing did not directly benefit the neonatal APGAR scores at 1 or 5 minutes postpartum. The result that spontaneous pushing did not shorten labor was unexpected; this is contrary to other studies that have reported a shorter labor duration. The small number of studies makes it difficult to conclude the effectiveness of either pushing technique. Further evidence is necessary to include possible confounding variables postpartum, including women's choice, advanced assessments of neonatal outcomes, and maternal recovery beyond the immediate postpartum period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]