@article{ZubaWarschburger2017,
  author    = {Zuba, Anna and Warschburger, Petra},
  title     = {The role of weight teasing and weight bias internalization in psychological functioning: a prospective study among school-aged children},
  series = {European child and adolescent psychiatry : offical journal of the European Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry},
  volume    = {26},
  journal   = {European child and adolescent psychiatry : offical journal of the European Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry},
  publisher = {Springer},
  address   = {New York},
  issn      = {1018-8827},
  doi       = {10.1007/s00787-017-0982-2},
  pages     = {1245 -- 1255},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Weight-related teasing is a widespread phenomenon in childhood, and might foster the internalization of weight bias. The goal of this study was to examine the role of weight teasing and weight bias internalization as mediators between weight status and negative psychological sequelae, such as restrained eating and emotional and conduct problems in childhood. Participants included 546 female (52\%) and 501 (48\%) male children aged 7-11 and their parents, who completed surveys assessing weight teasing, weight bias internalization, restrained eating behaviors, and emotional and conduct problems at two points of measurement, approximately 2 years apart. To examine the hypothesized mediation, a prospective design using structural equation modeling was applied. As expected, the experience of weight teasing and the internalization of weight bias were mediators in the relationship between weight status and psychosocial problems. This pattern was observed independently of gender or weight status. Our findings suggest that the experience of weight teasing and internalization of weight bias is more important than weight status in explaining psychological functioning among children and indicate a need for appropriate prevention and intervention approaches.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GmeinerWarschburger2022,
  author    = {Gmeiner, Michaela Silvia and Warschburger, Petra},
  title     = {Simply too much},
  series = {Eating and weight disorders : studies on anorexia, bulimia and obesity},
  volume    = {27},
  journal   = {Eating and weight disorders : studies on anorexia, bulimia and obesity},
  number    = {1},
  publisher = {Springer},
  address   = {Cham},
  issn      = {1590-1262},
  doi       = {10.1007/s40519-021-01170-z},
  pages     = {317 -- 324},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Purpose Weight bias internalization (WBI) is associated with negative health consequences such as eating disorders and psychosocial problems in children. To date, it is unknown to what extent WBI considerably raises the risk of negative outcomes. Methods Analyses are based on cross-sectional data of 1,061 children (9-13 years, M = 11, SD = 0.9; 52.1\% female) who filled in the WBI scale (WBIS-C). First, ROC analyses were run to identify critical cut-off values of WBI (WBIS-C score) that identify those who are at higher risk for psychosocial problems or eating disorder symptoms (as reported by parents). Second, it was examined whether WBI is more sensitive than the relative weight status in that respect. Third, to confirm that the cut-off value is also accompanied by higher psychological strain, high- and low-risk groups were compared in terms of their self-reported depressive symptoms, anxious symptoms, body dissatisfaction, and self-esteem. Results WBIS-C scores >= 1.55 were associated with a higher risk of disturbed eating behavior; for psychosocial problems, no cut-off score reached adequate sensitivity and specificity. Compared to relative weight status, WBI was better suited to detect disturbed eating behavior. Children with a WBIS-C score >= 1.55 also reported higher scores for both depressive and anxious symptoms, higher body dissatisfaction, and lower self-esteem. Conclusion The WBIS-C is suitable for identifying risk groups, and even low levels of WBI are accompanied by adverse mental health. Therefore, WBI is, beyond weight status, an important risk factor that should be considered in prevention and intervention.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GmeinerWarschburger2020,
  author    = {Gmeiner, Michaela Silvia and Warschburger, Petra},
  title     = {Intrapersonal predictors of weight bias internalization among elementary school children},
  series = {BMC Pediatrics},
  volume    = {20},
  journal   = {BMC Pediatrics},
  publisher = {BioMed Central},
  address   = {London},
  issn      = {1471-2431},
  doi       = {10.1186/s12887-020-02264-w},
  pages     = {9},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Background Weight-related stigmatization is a widespread problem. Particularly the internalization of weight-related stereotypes and prejudices (weight bias internalization, WBI) is related to mental and physical health impairments. To date, little is known about the risk factors of WBI. Previous studies are mainly cross-sectional and based on adult samples. As childhood is a sensitive period for the development of a healthy self-concept, we examined predictors of WBI in children. Methods The final sample included 1,463 schoolchildren (6-11 years, 51.7\% female) who took part in a prospective study consisting of three measurement waves. The first two waves delivered data on objective weight status and self-reported weight-related teasing, body dissatisfaction, relevance of one's own figure, self-esteem and depressive symptoms; WBI was measured during the third wave. To examine predictors of WBI, we ran hierarchical regression analyses and exploratory mediation analyses. Results Lower parental education level, higher child weight status, female gender, experience of teasing, higher body dissatisfaction, higher figure-relevance, and higher depression scores were found to be predictive for higher WBI scores. Body dissatisfaction (only for girls) and the relevance of one's own figure (both genders) mediated the association between self-esteem and WBI; no weight-related differences were observed. Conclusions Our study offers longitudinal evidence for variables that enable the identification of children who are at risk for WBI. Thus, the findings deliver starting points for interventions aimed at the prevention of adverse health developments that come along with WBI.},
  language  = {en}
}