Impact of Appearance-based Commentary on Eating Pathology among Latina Women with Obesity

• Published in: Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) Vol. 31; p. 215
• Main Authors: Quis, Isabel, Broekhuijse, Alex, Chang, Weilynn, Angelino, Ramiro, Herbozo, Sylvia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Silver Spring Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-11-2023
• Subjects: Obesity; Pathology; White people
• ISSN: 1930-7381; 1930-739X

Background: Latina women report stronger negative responses to weight/shape commentary than White women, and stronger negative responses to positive weight/shape commentary than Black and White women. Moreover, negative comments predict body dissatisfaction and shame among Latinas. Individuals with obesity also endorse stronger responses to and differing frequencies of weight commentary than those without obesity. Methods: This study examined the frequency and impact of appearance-based commentary and associations with eating pathology (i.e., eating, weight/shape concerns) and body dissatisfaction among Latinas with higher and lower weights. The sample was 250 Latinas (Mage = 19.48, SDage = 1.38) divided into groups based on BMI (BMI < 25; BMI > 25). They completed self-report questionnaires of appearance-based commentary, thin ideal internalization, eating pathology, and body dissatisfaction. Results: Independent t-tests indicated Latinas in the lower BMI group report higher frequencies of positive weight/shape comments while the higher BMI group reported higher frequencies negative comments. Those in the higher BMI group had more harmful responses to negative weight/shape comments than the lower BMI group (M = 3.78 vs. 3.33, p < 0.01). In both groups, higher frequencies and greater negative impact of negative weight/shape comments were correlated with higher levels of body dissatisfaction, thin ideal internalization, and eating pathology. Additionally, higher frequencies of positive comments were associated with lower levels of body dissatisfaction and eating pathology. Higher frequencies of positive comments were correlated with lower levels of thin ideal internalization in the lower BMI group. Conclusions: Findings suggest that appearance-based commentary should be addressed in obesity interventions with Latinas given its association with body dissatisfaction and thin ideal internalization, which are risk factors for eating disorders.