The Body Image and Stigma (BIAS) Laboratory focuses broadly on stigma due to appearance, health conditions, and other intersecting identities. Our research aims to (1) build greater understanding of the health impact of body-related stigma and (2) develop and test innovative strategies for reducing stigma and its negative consequences. We use psychology and public health approaches to advance knowledge of stigma and potential interventions at clinical, social, and structural levels. The BIAS Lab mission is to conduct rigorous science that informs clinical practice and policy and reduces suffering caused by health- and appearance-based stigma.
Weight Stigma and Health
As with other forms of stigma, weight stigma is associated with poor outcomes for mental and physical health. Through observational, experimental, and prospective research, our work has demonstrated the harmful relationships between weight stigma and depression, anxiety, binge eating, self- and body-esteem, stress, eating habits, physical activity, and health-related quality of life. The internalization of weight stigma has emerged as a particularly strong predictor of impaired outcomes in weight management settings, and our work has highlighted that self-stigma may be associated with poorer cardiometabolic health. The lab is further exploring why and how internalized weight stigma could contribute to increased risk for chronic disease.
Weight Stigma Interventions
Our research has tackled several avenues for weight stigma interventions. To work toward changing cultural norms, we have conducted studies that provide evidence to guide non-stigmatizing media discussions of obesity and portrayals of persons with a higher body weight. We have also explored opportunities for intervention through legislation and in health care settings. Recently, the BIAS Lab has been developing a clinical intervention to help patients cope with weight stigma and reduce its internalization. This intervention has shown benefits for reducing internalized weight stigma and enhancing other psychological and behavioral outcomes in a small pilot study and in two randomized controlled trials in which it was combined with and compared to standard behavioral weight loss treatment.
Appearance- and Health-Related Stigma
In addition to weight, we investigate many other forms of body- and health-related stigma, not limited to stigma due to diabetes, skin diseases, HIV, chronic pain, cancers, scarring, facial differences, aging appearance, and mental health conditions. Our work has shown significant public bias against individuals with visible disease markers, along with distress and poorer well-being among patients who perceive, anticipate, and internalize stigma. We are currently testing an intervention to reduce internalized stigma among adults with a range of different stigmatized chronic health conditions.