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Abstract

Background: Negative internalized weight bias is associated with poorer mental health, while physical activity (PA) has been shown to have protective mental health benefits. Previous research with teens has not explored whether weight bias predicts PA participation. We evaluated weight bias internalization as a predictor of total minutes of PA, hypothesizing that greater weight bias would predict less PA participation.

Methods: One hundred participants ranging (14-18 years) have completed the study. Participants completed the Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS) and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). Linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between scores on the WBIS and PAQ-A.

Results: PA did not significantly increase when participants reported higher WBIS score. Linear regression analysis revealed there was no significant increase in PA with higher WBIS scores (t(79) = 1.62, p = .11), suggesting adolescent weight bias does not significantly affect PA

Conclusion: Contrary to our hypothesis, weight bias internalization does not significantly influence teen’s self-reported physical activity. More research is warranted to examine this relationship further to see if acquiring the full data set will affect the results, and more work needs to be done to see what variables influence PA in adolescents. Linear regression analysis revealed there was no significant increase in PA with higher WBIS scores (t(79) = 1.62, p = .11), suggesting adolescent weight bias does not significantly affect PA. Further research is needed.

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

2024-09-24

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Psychology

University Standing at Time of Publication

Senior

Does Internalized Weight Bias Affect Reported Physical Activity in Adolescents?

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Psychology Commons

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