The Impact of Weight Labels on Body Image,Internalized Weight Stigma,Affect,Perceived Health,and Intended Weight Loss Behaviors in Normal-Weight and Overweight College Women

Abstract

Purpose:

To explore the psychological impact of weight labels.

Design:

A double-blind experiment that randomly informed participants that they were “normal weight” or “overweight.”

Setting:

Public university in Honolulu, Hawai‘i.

Participants:

Normal-weight and overweight female undergraduates (N = 113).

Measures:

The Body Image States Scale, Stunkard Rating Scale, Weight Bias Internalization Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, General Health question from the 12-item Short Form Health Survey, modified version of the Weight Loss Methods Scale, and a manipulation check.

Analysis:

A 2 × 2 between-subjects analysis of variance explored the main effects of the assigned weight label and actual weight and interactions between assigned weight label and actual weight.

Results:

Significant main effects of the assigned weight label emerged on measures of body dissatisfaction, F(1, 109) = 12.40, p = .001, ${\text{η}}_{\text{p}}^{\text{2}}$ = 0.10, internalized weight stigma, F(1, 108) = 4.35, p = .039, ${\text{η}}_{\text{p}}^{\text{2}}$ = .04, and negative affect, F(1, 108) = 9.22, p = .003, ${\text{η}}_{\text{p}}^{\text{2}}$ = .08. Significant assigned weight label × actual weight interactions were found on measures of perceived body image, F(1, 109) = 6.29, p = .014, ${\text{η}}_{\text{p}}^{\text{2}}$ = .06, and perceived health, F(1, 109) = 4.18, p = .043, ${\text{η}}_{\text{p}}^{\text{2}}$ = .04.

Conclusion:

A weight label of “overweight” may have negative psychological consequences, particularly for overweight women.