Internalization as a mediator of the relationship between conformity to masculine norms and body image attitudes and behaviors among young men in Sweden, US, UK, and Australia

© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. We examined whether internalization of sociocultural body ideals mediated the relationship between conformity to masculine norms and drive for muscularity, leanness, and thinness in a sample of males from Sweden, US, UK, and Australia. Over six hundred young men [n= 142 (Sweden); n= 192 (US); n= 141 (UK); n= 160 (Australia)] completed an online survey that included assessments of masculine role norms, body image, and internalization of sociocultural body ideals. Path analyses confirmed internalization as a mediator between greater conformity to masculine norms and body image measures (drive for thinness, desire for leanness, and desire for muscularity) across the sample. However, significant cross-country differences in the strength of these mediation effects were found. Mediation effects among US, Australian, and Swedish males were comparable, whereas these effects were weaker in the UK sample. Findings confirmed the importance of internalization of sociocultural body ideals in the tested models

Self-Objectification among Overweight and Obese Women: An Application of Structural Equation Modeling

Research on self-objectification has traditionally utilized samples of young, normal weight, female college students which greatly limit the ability to generalize the results to other groups, particularly to overweight and obese individuals. Despite the incredibly high rates of overweight and obesity among adults in the United States and the obvious relevance of body objectification to the overweight and obese, they have been understudied to this date. Objectification theory posits that individuals can be concerned with their physical appearance regardless of body size. However, given their greater distance from the impossibly thin standard the culture has idealized as well as the considerable evidence for weight based objectification, internalized weight bias, and binge eating disorder, it is plausible that the particular mechanisms through which one experiences self-objectification may differ for those who are overweight and obese. This study tested two proposed measurement models of the relationship of body image in the psychosocial processes of weight based objectification. The relationships between weight-based objectifying experiences, internalized weight bias, self-objectification, body image, depression and disordered eating were analyzed using Objectification theory as a guiding framework. Structural equation modeling indicated a differing role for body image depending on weight status. Specifically, poor body image fit as an observed measure of Internalized Objectification for the Overweight Sample while occurring as a Psychosocial Outcome within the Normal Weight sample. Additional analyses of the structural models also indicate that for the Overweight sample, the relationship between Objectifying Experiences and Psychosocial Outcomes is fully mediated by the process of Internalized Objectification. In general, the preliminary results of this study provide support for the notion that self-objectification is likely a relevant construct in the lives of most women albeit consisting of group specific manifestations and requiring different methods of measurement

Equilibrium between Hydroxycycloalkanones and Oxabicycloalkanols

Hydroxycycloalkanones 1 of medium ring size (8 -10) exist in a transannular tautomeric equilibrium with the corresponding oxabicycloalkan-1-ols 2, which represent hemiacetals. Normally, the bicyclic structures 2 predominate in solution although their portion decreases with increasing solvent polarity. A correlation of the Gibbs reaction enthalpies ∆G (1→ → →2) with the solvent parameters E T (30) is presented

Internalized Weight Bias: Ratings of the Self, Normal Weight, and Obese Individuals and Psychological Maladjustment

Current measures of internalized weight bias assess factors such as responsibility for weight status, mistreatment because of weight, etc. A potential complementary approach for assessing internalized weight bias is to examine the correspondence between individuals\u27 ratings of obese people, normal weight people, and themselves on personality traits. This investigation examined the relationships among different measures of internalized weight bias, as well as the association between those measures and psychosocial maladjustment. Prior to the beginning of a weight loss intervention, 62 overweight/obese adults completed measures of explicit and internalized weight bias as well as body image, binge eating, and depression. Discrepancies between participants\u27 ratings of obese people in general and ratings of themselves on both positive and negative traits predicted unique variance in measures of maladjustment above a traditional assessment of internalized weight bias. This novel approach to measuring internalized weight bias provides information above and beyond traditional measures of internalized weight bias and begins to provide insights into social comparison processes involved in weight bias

Weight Bias and Weight Loss Treatment Outcomes in Treatment-Seeking Adults

BACKGROUND: Few studies have explored the relationship between weight bias and weight loss treatment outcomes. PURPOSE: This investigation examined the relationship between implicit and explicit weight bias and (a) program attrition, (b) weight loss, (c) self-monitoring adherence, (d) daily exercise levels and overall caloric expenditure, (e) daily caloric intake, and (f) daily caloric deficit among overweight/obese treatment-seeking adults. METHODS: Forty-six overweight/obese adults (body mass index \u3e or = 27 kg/m(2)) participating in an 18-week, stepped-care, behavioral weight loss program completed implicit and explicit measures of weight bias. Participants were instructed to self-monitor and electronically report daily energy intake, exercise, and energy expenditure. RESULTS: Greater weight bias was associated with inconsistent self-monitoring, greater caloric intake, lower energy expenditure and exercise, creation of a smaller caloric deficit, higher program attrition, as well as less weight loss during the self-help phase of the stepped-care treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Weight bias may interfere with overweight/obese treatment-seeking adults\u27 ability to achieve optimal health

Stepped-Care in Obesity Treatment: Matching Treatment Intensity to Participant Performance

This investigation examined the effectiveness of a self-help (SH), stepped-care (SC) weight loss program. Based on a failure to achieve pre-assigned weight loss goals, participants were eligible to be stepped-up from a SH program to two levels of treatment intensity (weight loss group [WLG]; individual counseling [IC]) beyond SH. The primary outcome was change in body weight. Fifty-three overweight/obese adults (BMI≥27 kg/m(2); mean BMI of 37.3, SD=6.6, 89% Caucasian, and 77% female) participated in an 18-week weight loss intervention. During several phases of the investigation, those stepped-up to more intensive treatment lost comparable weight to those who were not stepped-up. Nevertheless, by the end of treatment, individuals who remained in SH (M=8.6%) lost a significantly greater percentage of weight than individuals who received SH+IC (M=4.7%;

Transforming Your Life: An Environmental Modification Approach to Weight Loss

This investigation compared a traditional behavioral weight loss program with a weight loss intervention emphasizing environmental modification and habit formation and disruption. Fifty-four overweight and obese adults (BMI ≥ 27 kg/m² were randomly assigned to either a 14-week LEARN or TYL intervention. Forty-two participants completed the six-month follow-up assessment. Treatment outcomes between LEARN and TYL participants were equivalent. During the six-month no-treatment follow-up period, participants evidenced a 3.3 lb (SD = 9.2) weight gain. The TYL intervention appears to represent an attractive option for individuals seeking an alternative to the traditional behavioral approach to weight loss

Successful Weight Loss with Self-Help: A Stepped-Care Approach

In a stepped-care approach to treatment, patients are transitioned to more intensive treatments when less intensive treatments fail to meet treatment goals. Self-help programs are recommended as an initial, low intensity treatment phase in stepped-care models. This investigation examined the effectiveness of a self-help, stepped-care weight loss program. Fifty-eight overweight/obese adults (BMI ≥27 kg/m(2)) participated in a weight loss program. Participants were predominately Caucasian (93.1%) and female (89.7%) with a mean BMI of 36.6 (SD=7.1). Of those completing the program, 57% of participants (N=21) who remained in self-help maintained an 8% weight loss at follow-up. Participants who were stepped-up self-monitored fewer days and reported higher daily caloric intake than self-help participants. Once stepped-up, weight loss outcomes were equivalent between individuals who remained in self-help compared to those who were stepped-up. Individuals who were stepped-up benefited from early intensive intervention when unsuccessful at losing weight with self-help

Examining Perceived Stereotype Threat Among Overweight/Obese Adults Using a Multi-Threat Framework

OBJECTIVE: The Multi-Threat Framework accounts for potentially different forms of stereotype threat that differ in target (i.e., the individual or the group) and source (i.e., the self or others). This investigation examined how these different forms of perceived stereotype threat were related to concepts, such as group identity, stereotype endorsement, stigma consciousness, etc., among overweight and obese individuals. METHOD: 216 adults completed an online survey. Participants\u27 mean age was 23.6 (SD 10.1; range 18-64) years and mean BMI was 31.6 (SD 7.5) kg/m². RESULTS: Participants reported a history of feeling threatened by stereotypes related to weight. When reflecting on past experiences of perceived stereotype threat, participants reported greater levels of self/own stereotype threat compared to group stereotype threat. Level of stereotype threat was related to a number of personal characteristics (i.e., sex, BMI) and individual factors (i.e., group identity, stigma consciousness, fear of fat). CONCLUSION: Individuals who are overweight report a history of being threatened by negative stereotypes. The findings support the Multi-Threat Framework for stereotype threat based on body weight. Overweight individuals\u27 susceptibility to stereotype threat may vary systematically depending on several factors. Future research should examine weight-related stereotypes\u27 impact on cognitive and behavioral outcomes