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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

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journal contribution
posted on 2025-05-06, 01:53 authored by S Manallack, Edith HollowayEdith Holloway, F Pouwer, Jane SpeightJane Speight, Elizabeth Holmes-TruscottElizabeth Holmes-Truscott
AbstractAimsTo 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.MethodsDiabetes 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.ResultsGreater 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.ConclusionsThis 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.

History

Journal

Diabetic Medicine

Volume

42

Article number

e15440

Pagination

1-13

Location

London, Eng.

Open access

  • Yes

ISSN

0742-3071

eISSN

1464-5491

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Issue

1

Publisher

Wiley