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Coming Soon: An Internalized Weight Bias Assessment Scale for Use During Pregnancy

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In this issue of Obesity, Dieterich and colleagues assessed whether internalized weight bias during late pregnancy was predictive of initiation, continuation, and cessation of breastfeeding. In addition, they measured whether… Click to show full abstract

In this issue of Obesity, Dieterich and colleagues assessed whether internalized weight bias during late pregnancy was predictive of initiation, continuation, and cessation of breastfeeding. In addition, they measured whether internalized weight bias levels during the third trimester were maintained in early postpartum. Weight bias, defined as negative attitudes directed toward individuals who are perceived to have excess body weight, has longlasting and damaging biopsychosocial health implications (1). Individuals living with obesity often experience weight bias in social, professional, and health care settings and, consequently, are at risk of internalizing such weight bias (2). Internalized weight bias occurs when an individual accepts and selfdirects negative societal misconceptions, resulting in poor health behaviors and selfderogation (1,2). The Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guideline recommends assessing internalized weight bias and providing targeted care (including cognitive behavioral therapy) (1). Fortunately, internalized weight bias can be measured in clinical practice and research using the modified Weight Bias Internalization scale, a validated assessment tool suitable for individuals across the weight spectrum (3). This scale was used by Dieterich et al. (4), and their results provide preliminary evidence that internalized weight bias during pregnancy is a stable construct in the early postpartum period and that it may therefore impact negative health behaviors and outcomes among new mothers. This study adds to the growing body of literature demonstrating that weight bias during pregnancy can increase the risk for adverse health outcomes, including postpartum depression, excessive gestational weight gain, and maladaptive eating (5,6). Although Dieterich et al. did not find an association with internalized weight bias and breastfeeding behaviors, a key limitation to their study that the authors emphasized is a lack of a pregnancyspecific internalized weight bias assessment scale. Prenatal weightrelated experiences are unique given that weight gain is a natural occurrence during gestation that could result in changes to body image and physical health (6). Therefore, as noted by Diterich et al., a pregnancyspecific internalized weight bias scale is necessary. A pregnancyspecific internalized weight bias scale is currently being validated in pregnant women. An interdisciplinary team of obesity, prenatal health, and weight bias experts and individuals with lived experience of obesity during pregnancy developed a pregnancyspecific internalized weight bias scale. The scale was developed by modifying the modified adult Internalized Weight Bias scale (3). To adapt the scale and improve inclusivity within the scale’s items, the team followed a rigorous personoriented approach. Inclusivity in the scale was improved by using genderneutral and personfirst language. Table 1 outlines the steps and teambased approach followed to modify the scale and upcoming methodologic procedures for data collection and reliability assessments. The scale implementation and evaluation are undergoing ethics approval at the University of Ottawa, Canada.

Keywords: pregnancy; internalized weight; weight; weight bias; scale

Journal Title: Obesity
Year Published: 2021

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