Assessing exposure to weight stigma:development and initial validation of the WeightStigma Exposure Inventory (WeSEI)

A new global study has developed the Weight Stigma Exposure Inventory (WeSEI), a tool to measure how people experience weight stigma in everyday life, from doctors and family to social media and public spaces.

Iqbal Pramukti, S.Kep.,Ners.,M.Sc., Ph.D., from Universitas Padjadjaran in collaboration with an international team of researchers from National Cheng Kung University, Qufu Normal University, University of Hawaii, Monash University, Yancheng Mechatronic Branch of Jiangsu Union Technical Institute, I-Shou University, Anadolu University, National Taiwan University Hospital, Cardinal Tien Hospital, and Nottingham Trent University.

The research, which involved over 15,000 participants from China and Taiwan, demonstrated WeSEI’s strong reliability and cross-cultural relevance. Findings revealed that weight stigma is not only widespread but also associated with significant mental and physical health risks, underscoring the urgent need for stigma-informed healthcare and more inclusive public health policies.
This research supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) by addressing mental health consequences of stigma, and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by advocating for equity in health systems and social attitudes.

📚 Read more: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-024-01168-9