Investigation of the Relationship Between Weight Bias Internalization and Negative Body Talk in Women who Regularly Exercise Considering Age and Body Mass Index Variables

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the correlation between internalized weight bias and negative body talk among women who engage in regular exercise, considering age and body mass index variables. In this context, a correlational research design, one of the quantitative research methods, was used. The study sample comprises 310 women (mean age=31.13±12.51) who exercise regularly. The data was collected using the Two-Factor Internalized Weight Bias Scale (IWBI-2F) and the Negative Body Talk Scale (NBTS). The data was analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 22 software package. Correlation analysis investigated the relationship between the WBI-2F and NBTS subscales with body mass index variable. In addition, a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to examine potential differences in the scales based on age and body mass index variables. Furthermore, a multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify the predictors for both scales. Upon examination of the findings, it was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the body concerns sub-dimension of the age variable and the weight related stress sub-dimension, as well as the body examines sub-dimension of the body mass index variable. According to the results of multiple regression analysis, body concerns, and body comparison subscale scores were found to be significant predictors of stress scores. As a result, the research findings also observed that as the body mass index increases, weight related stress (a sub-dimension of WBI-2F) and body concerns (a sub-dimension of NBTS) also increase positively.