Adaptation and validation of the modified weight bias internalization scale (WBIS-M) in Brazilian adults.

Internalized weight stigma refers to individuals' self-stigmatization, leading to self-devaluation. This research aimed to conduct an adaptation and validation study of the Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M) for Brazil. A sample of 418 adults (253 women; mean age = 30.8 years,...

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Main Authors: Paula Victoria Sozza, Eva Penelo, Maria Fernanda Laus, David Sánchez-Carracedo, Sebastião Sousa Almeida, Telma Maria Braga Costa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0328176
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author Paula Victoria Sozza
Eva Penelo
Maria Fernanda Laus
David Sánchez-Carracedo
Sebastião Sousa Almeida
Telma Maria Braga Costa
author_facet Paula Victoria Sozza
Eva Penelo
Maria Fernanda Laus
David Sánchez-Carracedo
Sebastião Sousa Almeida
Telma Maria Braga Costa
author_sort Paula Victoria Sozza
collection DOAJ
description Internalized weight stigma refers to individuals' self-stigmatization, leading to self-devaluation. This research aimed to conduct an adaptation and validation study of the Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M) for Brazil. A sample of 418 adults (253 women; mean age = 30.8 years, SD = 10.4) completed the WBIS-M and measures of anti-fat attitudes, body image, disordered eating, binge eating, and self-esteem. Exploratory factor analyses (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were conducted to examine the factor structure of the WBIS-M. Measurement invariance across gender was tested with multigroup CFA. Internal consistency was assessed using omega and alpha. Relationships between the WBIS-M scores and external measures were analyzed using Pearson's and Spearman's correlations, t-tests, and Cohen's d for effect size. EFA and CFA showed that the 10-item and 1-factor WBIS-M model fit reasonably well (CFI and TLI ≥ .98, SRMR ≤ .06, although RMSEA ≤ .12). Full metric and full scalar invariance evidenced equivalence across genders. The internal consistency reliability coefficients were satisfactory (α and ω = .94). A higher WBIS-M score was linked to greater body dissatisfaction, restrictive/compensatory behaviors, food/weight concerns, binge eating severity, and lower self-esteem. Women and those with a higher BMI had higher WBIS-M scores. Finally, the Brazilian WBIS-M's 10-item score is a valid and reliable measure for assessing weight self-stigma in adults.
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spelling doaj-art-aa5dfd6f198742b7a8f5d4234afae0772025-08-20T03:43:55ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01207e032817610.1371/journal.pone.0328176Adaptation and validation of the modified weight bias internalization scale (WBIS-M) in Brazilian adults.Paula Victoria SozzaEva PeneloMaria Fernanda LausDavid Sánchez-CarracedoSebastião Sousa AlmeidaTelma Maria Braga CostaInternalized weight stigma refers to individuals' self-stigmatization, leading to self-devaluation. This research aimed to conduct an adaptation and validation study of the Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M) for Brazil. A sample of 418 adults (253 women; mean age = 30.8 years, SD = 10.4) completed the WBIS-M and measures of anti-fat attitudes, body image, disordered eating, binge eating, and self-esteem. Exploratory factor analyses (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were conducted to examine the factor structure of the WBIS-M. Measurement invariance across gender was tested with multigroup CFA. Internal consistency was assessed using omega and alpha. Relationships between the WBIS-M scores and external measures were analyzed using Pearson's and Spearman's correlations, t-tests, and Cohen's d for effect size. EFA and CFA showed that the 10-item and 1-factor WBIS-M model fit reasonably well (CFI and TLI ≥ .98, SRMR ≤ .06, although RMSEA ≤ .12). Full metric and full scalar invariance evidenced equivalence across genders. The internal consistency reliability coefficients were satisfactory (α and ω = .94). A higher WBIS-M score was linked to greater body dissatisfaction, restrictive/compensatory behaviors, food/weight concerns, binge eating severity, and lower self-esteem. Women and those with a higher BMI had higher WBIS-M scores. Finally, the Brazilian WBIS-M's 10-item score is a valid and reliable measure for assessing weight self-stigma in adults.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0328176
spellingShingle Paula Victoria Sozza
Eva Penelo
Maria Fernanda Laus
David Sánchez-Carracedo
Sebastião Sousa Almeida
Telma Maria Braga Costa
Adaptation and validation of the modified weight bias internalization scale (WBIS-M) in Brazilian adults.
PLoS ONE
title Adaptation and validation of the modified weight bias internalization scale (WBIS-M) in Brazilian adults.
title_full Adaptation and validation of the modified weight bias internalization scale (WBIS-M) in Brazilian adults.
title_fullStr Adaptation and validation of the modified weight bias internalization scale (WBIS-M) in Brazilian adults.
title_full_unstemmed Adaptation and validation of the modified weight bias internalization scale (WBIS-M) in Brazilian adults.
title_short Adaptation and validation of the modified weight bias internalization scale (WBIS-M) in Brazilian adults.
title_sort adaptation and validation of the modified weight bias internalization scale wbis m in brazilian adults
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0328176
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