I can't remember if I've mentioned this study here because I've mentioned it in so many places--where ever people say obesity is a risk factor for Covid-19. It may be, but I advise people to look at this study. This was for H1N1, where obesity was considered a strong risk factor, but "After adjustment for early antiviral treatment [which fat people were less likely to receive], relationship between obesity and poor outcomes disappeared." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27385315/
One of my favorite anti-diet, HAES writers, Christy H, mentioned you in her most recent emails. She was writing about the new diabetes drugs that are being used for weight loss. She said to read your work. She said she basically had nothing to add to what Ragen Chastain has been writing for so long. She did emphasize the box warning on the olzopic (sp??!!) was a clear indicator that these drugs will most likely be pulled just as other weight loss drugs have been in the past. I am so energized and liberated to know there is an united front among those working to fight against the stigma and harm. I think your work is beyond powerful. Even though I work paycheck to paycheck I feel it is time to become a paying member to your community here. I donate once a year to two other non profits. But now it will be three. I look forward to your emails every week and I am grateful you mention, always mention, the roots of antifatness comes from antiblackness. This was a long comment and poorly written (trying to use phone at work is a no no) Keep fighting, I will too. You are incredible. Thank you thank you to infinity
This is a great question (and you are a hero for teaching statistics!) There are a number of validated assessment tools that folks use for experience of weight stigma and bias:
One that doesn't come from a place of fatphobia is "The Two-Factor Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-2F; Meadows & Higgs, 2019) which, Dr. Meadows explains, is a measure of internalized weight bias with two subscales: self-devaluation and weight-related distress.
This piece from 2010 gives information about some of the tools that are still common (Note that this piece, and some of the tools themselves, comes from a place of weight stigma) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6452119/
Weight stigma drives a lot of issues with the tools used to assess weight stigma and bias. For example, there are some researchers who argue that beliefs that being fat is people's "fault" or the pathologizing higher weight bodies and/or calling for their eradication don't constitute weight stigma or bias.
I hope that helps a bit, let me know if you're looking for something more specific!
I can't remember if I've mentioned this study here because I've mentioned it in so many places--where ever people say obesity is a risk factor for Covid-19. It may be, but I advise people to look at this study. This was for H1N1, where obesity was considered a strong risk factor, but "After adjustment for early antiviral treatment [which fat people were less likely to receive], relationship between obesity and poor outcomes disappeared." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27385315/
One of my favorite anti-diet, HAES writers, Christy H, mentioned you in her most recent emails. She was writing about the new diabetes drugs that are being used for weight loss. She said to read your work. She said she basically had nothing to add to what Ragen Chastain has been writing for so long. She did emphasize the box warning on the olzopic (sp??!!) was a clear indicator that these drugs will most likely be pulled just as other weight loss drugs have been in the past. I am so energized and liberated to know there is an united front among those working to fight against the stigma and harm. I think your work is beyond powerful. Even though I work paycheck to paycheck I feel it is time to become a paying member to your community here. I donate once a year to two other non profits. But now it will be three. I look forward to your emails every week and I am grateful you mention, always mention, the roots of antifatness comes from antiblackness. This was a long comment and poorly written (trying to use phone at work is a no no) Keep fighting, I will too. You are incredible. Thank you thank you to infinity
I loved this article! Do you have any information on how weight stigma affects the treatment of chronic pain?
I love your articles. They are so helpful in describing my lived experience and why I feel wronged when I am. So,thank you.
I teach statistics and I was just wondering how you measure weight stigma or weight bias. Thank you.
Hi Beth,
This is a great question (and you are a hero for teaching statistics!) There are a number of validated assessment tools that folks use for experience of weight stigma and bias:
One that doesn't come from a place of fatphobia is "The Two-Factor Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-2F; Meadows & Higgs, 2019) which, Dr. Meadows explains, is a measure of internalized weight bias with two subscales: self-devaluation and weight-related distress.
This piece from 2010 gives information about some of the tools that are still common (Note that this piece, and some of the tools themselves, comes from a place of weight stigma) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6452119/
Weight stigma drives a lot of issues with the tools used to assess weight stigma and bias. For example, there are some researchers who argue that beliefs that being fat is people's "fault" or the pathologizing higher weight bodies and/or calling for their eradication don't constitute weight stigma or bias.
I hope that helps a bit, let me know if you're looking for something more specific!