STudy characterising the physIological response to weiGht stigMA
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A proof of principle pilot study to assess the impact of exposure to weight stigma and discrimination on the physiological responses in patients with obesity
IRAS ID
281784
Contact name
Adrian Brown
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London Joint Research Office
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2020/08/69, Data Protection Registration
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 0 days
Research summary
The prevalence of obesity continues to rise and has been classified as a major public health issue, with over two thirds of UK adults currently living with obesity. Despite the causes of obesity being complex, there is a belief by many that a person’s weight is their responsibility. This belief reinforces negative stereotypes of patients with obesity, being portrayed lazy, gluttonous, lacking will-power, a rhetoric known as weight stigma. Additionally, there is a belief that ‘fat-shaming’ is effective at achieving weight loss. However, evidence shows the opposite, with affected people increasing food intake and actually avoiding exercise. Furthermore, weight stigma negatively impacts depression, anxiety and is suggested to directly impact physical health. To date, limited studies have shown physiological effects of weight stigma, however, alterations in blood pressure (BP) and cortisol levels have been reported. As such, stress and inflammation triggered by weight stigmatisation could be contributing to the development of non-communicable diseases (NCD), therefore, presenting a highly relevant pathway to explore.
This is a proof of principle pilot study that will evaluate the feasibility of recruitment, randomisation, assessment procedures and implementation of the intervention with the aim to facilitate the planning and the conduct of a full-scale randomised controlled trial.
The overall aim of this study is to characterise the physiological responses of patients with obesity to a weight stigmatising experience.
20 female patients with obesity (Body Mass Index equal or greater than 30kg/m2) fulfilling study criteria will be recruited from UCLH Bariatric Centre for Weight Management and through social media advertisement.
This study will consist of a single visit during which the physiological response to a weight stigmatising experience or a non-weight stigmatising experience will be characterised. Physiological measurements will include blood pressure, heart rate, inflammatory markers, glucose level and gut hormone concentrations. The visit will take approximately 6 hours.
REC name
London - Dulwich Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/PR/0916
Date of REC Opinion
23 Feb 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion