Impact of weight stigma on physiological and psychological health outcomes for overweight and obese adults: A systematic review
The main objective of the conducted research is to identify the correlation between weight stigma and the physiological and psychological health of people with obesity. The study focuses not only on the existence of such correlation but also on the extent of interrelation between two factors. Weight stigma is verbal or physical abuse related to obesity or overweight experienced by the respondents. The study focuses on identifying if there is a negative impact of weight stigma on the physiological and psychological health of an individual.
The study relied on both qualitative and quantitative methodology utilizing a wide variety of approaches, including Cochrane Collaboration guidelines, the PRISMA statement guidelines. Qualitative data was collected from preliminary scholarly papers and statistical data. The study provided a number of valuable results based on the analysis of a sample of 33 students. According to Wu and Berry (2017) during the research, a correlation was determined between weight stigma and “obesity, diabetes risk, cortisol level, oxidative stress level, C-reactive protein level, eating disturbances, depression, anxiety, body image dissatisfaction and negatively associated with self-esteem among overweight and obese adults.” Such a result may indicate that the issue may require broader public attention and further development.
However, the study was conducted with several limitations, which may influence the reliability of the results. The main limitation is the relatively small size of the studied sample. Hence, further research may be required to collect more accurate quantitative data. Even though the above-mentioned shortcoming may influence the results, the research provides valuable data regarding possible ways of prevention and mitigation of obesity. It may be highly beneficial to utilize study results to develop care and treatment frameworks that consider weight stigma as a significant factor.
Obesity and healthy aging: social, functional and mental well-being among older Canadians
The study aims to identify the association between obesity and healthy aging. The research considered several secondary factors, including social participation, multimorbidity odds, physical functioning issues, and mental well-being. The research relied on measuring and describing social, functional, and mental well-being of older people with obesity. The studied sample mostly consisted of older people aged from 55 to 85 who participated in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.
The study utilized a wide variety of qualitative methods, including generalized logistic models, which were used to evaluate data regarding social, functional, and mental well-being of participants with obesity. The collected data was also compared to measures of these three factors in non-obese participants. Obese participants were determined to have higher multimorbidity odds than non-obese people (Rao et al., 2018). Female respondents with obesity also demonstrated low social participation, whereas male participants did not (Rao et al., 2018). A strong correlation was determined between physical functioning issues and obesity status (Rao et al., 2018). However, the study may be limited by the fact that it was conducted among Canadian citizens. Further investigation may be needed to collect data that is relevant in other regions or countries.
The study provided valuable data that may be utilized to identify areas, which require healthy aging initiatives. Moreover, the relatively narrow scope of the research allows collecting sufficient data regarding the possible effects of obesity on a particular group of people. It may be vital to use such data to develop individual approaches to treatment and care of older people with obesity.
References
Rao, D. P., Patel, P., Roberts, K. C., & Thompson, W. (2018). Obesity and healthy aging: Social, functional and mental well-being among older Canadians. Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada, 38(12), 437–444.
Wu, Y.-K., & Berry, D. C. (2017). Impact of weight stigma on physiological and psychological health outcomes for overweight and obese adults: A systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 74(5), 1030–1042.