Associations between weight self-stigma and healthy diet and physical activity among adults with type 2 diabetes: Cross-sectional results from the second Diabetes MILES – Australia (MILES-2) study

Aims

To examine associations between weight self-stigma and healthy diet or physical activity, and potential moderating effects of self-esteem, diabetes self-efficacy, and diabetes social support, among adults with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Diabetes MILES-2 data were used, an Australian cross-sectional online survey. Participants with type 2 diabetes who considered themselves overweight, and reported concern about weight management (N = 726; 48% insulin-treated), completed the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ; total score and subscales: self-devaluation, fear of enacted stigma), measures of diabetes self-care (diet, exercise), and hypothesised psychosocial moderators (self-esteem, diabetes self-efficacy, and diabetes social support). Adjusted linear regression tested associations and interaction effects, separately by insulin treatment status.

Results

Greater weight self-stigma (WSSQ total) was associated with less optimal dietary self-care (both groups: β = −0.3), and with a lower level of exercise (non-insulin only: β = −0.2; all p < 0.001). All hypothesised moderators were negatively associated with weight self-stigma (range r = −0.2 to r = −0.5). Positive associations were identified between the hypothesised moderators and self-care behaviours (strongest between diet and diabetes self-efficacy, r = > 0.5). No significant interaction effects were observed.

Conclusions

This study provides novel evidence of negative associations between weight self-stigma and self-care behaviours among adults with type 2 diabetes. Weight self-stigma is a demonstrated barrier to self-care behaviours in type 2 diabetes cohorts. Acknowledgement and strategies to address weight self-stigma are needed in clinical care and health programmes.