Attributing discrimination to weight: associations with well-being, self-care, and disease status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Lindsey Potter, Kenneth Wallston, Paula Trief, Jan Ulbrecht, Vanessa Juth, Joshua Smyth

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study examined the association between attributing self-reported discrimination to weight and diabetes outcomes (glycemic control, diabetes-related distress, and diabetes self-care). A community dwelling sample of 185 adults (mean age 55.4; 80 % White/Caucasian 65 % female) with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes (HbA1c level ≥7.5 %) provided demographic and several self-report measures (including diabetes-related distress, diabetes self-care activities, discrimination, and attributions of discrimination), and had height, weight, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) assessed by trained research staff as part of a larger research study. Individuals who attributed self-reported discrimination to weight had significantly higher HbA1c levels, higher levels of diabetes-related distress, and worse diabetes-related self-care behaviors (general diet, exercise, and glucose testing). These relationships persisted even when controlling for BMI, overall discrimination, depressive symptoms, and demographic characteristics. Results indicate that the perception of weight stigma among individuals with type 2 diabetes is strongly associated with a range of poor diabetes outcomes. Efforts to reduce exposure to and/or teach adaptive coping for weight stigma may benefit patients with type 2 diabetes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)863-875
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Behavioral Medicine
Volume38
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2 2015

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Psychology(all)
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Attributing discrimination to weight: associations with well-being, self-care, and disease status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this