The association of age of onset of obesity with experienced weight stigma in adulthood
Authors' conclusion
Those with severe obesity before the age of 18 years were nearly 3 times more likely to report severe EWS than people who developed severe obesity later in life. Healthcare providers should consider screening for EWS in people with early onset of severe obesity, to identify those who may benefit from weight stigma interventions and support.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with obesity in a single-site academic obesity medicine program; mean age 55.8 years (SD = 12.7), majority female and white
- Participants
- 686 adults
- Exposure
- Severe obesity by age 18 years vs later onset or lower body mass index (BMI) at 18 years
- Outcome
- Experienced weight stigma (EWS), Stigmatizing Situations Inventory (SSI-B) score dichotomized at the median (severe EWS)
Methodological detailssingle-site academic obesity medicine program, survey
- Single-site academic obesity medicine program
- Survey
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Severe EWS
Adjusted odds ratio (95% CI)P value
Severe obesity by 18 yearsvs Severe obesity after 18 years
2.79(1.38–5.62)
P < 0.01Severe obesity by 18 yearsvs BMI < 40 at 18 years
2.17(1.08–4.35)
P = 0.009Severe obesity by 18 yearsvs BMI < 30 at 18 years
2.98(1.44–6.15)
P = 0.001Severe obesity by 18 yearsvs BMI < 25 at 18 years
4.06(1.39–6.73)
P = 0.001Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Correlation of experienced weight stigma (EWS) with BMI at age 18 years and peak BMI
- EWS vs BMI at age 18 years, r
- 0.38 (p = 0.001)
- EWS vs peak BMI, r
- 0.48 (p = 0.001)
- Before and after adjustment
Original publication
The association of age of onset of obesity with experienced weight stigma in adulthood. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 9 April 2025. doi:10.
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