Fat acceptance beliefs and weight stigma related correlates

The newly developed Fat Attitudes Assessment Toolkit was designed to capture facets of weight stigma-related phenomena that are consistent with Fat Acceptance beliefs and attitudes. The goal of the current investigation was to examine whether attitudes and beliefs consistent with the Fat Acceptance movement are associated with weight stigma-related constructs and or psychological well-being. Using a Qualtrics panel, we report on 295 individuals with an increased likelihood of experiencing weight stigma and internalizing weight bias (69.2% White; Mage = 50.0, SDage = 16.6). We assessed Fat Acceptance attitudes and beliefs, weight stigma, internalized weight bias (IWB), experienced weight stigma (EWS), depression, and self-esteem via an online survey. Results showed that higher Fat Acceptance attitudes and beliefs were inversely associated with weight stigma. Additionally, higher Fat Acceptance attitudes and beliefs were only modestly associated with IWB and EWS. Fat Acceptance was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms and self-esteem and there was only modest evidence of moderation between EWS and Fat Acceptance predicting depressive symptoms. Further study is needed on novel Fat Acceptance measures, as well as qualitative research to construct an accurate depiction of the movement.