Research

Weight Stigma

Current Projects

Weight stigma in healthcare

This is a set of studies that draw on patients experiences with weight stigma in healthcare in individuals across the weight and gender identity spectrums. A second study examines weight-related doctor-patient communication and adherence to follow-up care among patients visiting a local hospital for a chronic disease medical appointment. A third study examines weight stigma and stigma reduction among medical students. A fourth study examines weight based communication in pediatric care.

Weight-related vigilance as a chronic stressor

This is a multi-method set of studies that examines whether weight-based vigilance (being on the lookout for weight-based threats and modifying behavior to avoid them) is related to stress and maladaptive health behaviors. In three experiments, we causally test whether vigilance induces changes in physiological markers of stress, eating behavior, and exercise. In an EMA study we examine the impact of vigilance on eating behavior over the course of two weeks to examine whether vigilance initially induces dietary restriction followed by compensatory overrating. Finally, in a longitudinal study, we examine how changes in body weight, health behaviors, and weight-based vigilance impact one another over two years.

Perceptions of of Weight Regain

This experimental study examines knowledge about dieting and weight regain as well as how weight regain is perceived based on the initial method of weight loss. We examine how weight regain is related to lay beliefs about weight and antifat attitudes

Masculinity

Current Projects

Masculinity and injury reporting among athletes as a function of gender

This project examines how often student and professional athletes accumulate injuries and play through potential injuries as a function of masculinity and contingencies of self-worth related to gender

Stress, Masculinity, Body image and weight stigma in men

This is Brandon Martin's master's thesis. This mixed-methods multi-study project combines qualitative (focus groups) and quantitative data (descriptive survey, experimental manipulation) to examine the experience and physiological effects of weight stigma in men

Student Projects

Current Projects: Student spotlight!

These are not exhaustive,

Media Literacy, Body Positivity, and Stigma (Rosenthal)

Using an experimental paradigm this project examines how the framing of the digital health messages and the type of message (physical activity, eating) impacts body image, esteem, behavioral health intentions, and attitudes toward obesity. We will examine whether media literacy and media health literacy moderate the relationship between framing and these outcomes

Moralization of Food (Rosenthal)

This is Maddie Rosenthal's master's thesis This mixed-method study examines the way we talk about food, and bodies with a specific focus on morality and whether moralization of food and bodies are tied to shame, guilt, stigma, and dieting behaviors

Men's Body Image, Muscularity, Dieting, and Supplement use (Martin)

This study explores relationship between men's body image, exercise behavior, and maladaptive strategies to lose weight or gain muscle mass.

Weight-Based Vigilance Among Gay Men in Queer Spaces (Wetzel)

This project examines the prevalence of weight-based vigilance in queer spaces among gay men with different body sizes and perceptions of gay men at high and low body weights.

Weight Stigma, Vigilance to stigma, and maladaptive eating (Wetzel)

This is Karen Wetzel's master's thesis. We collected information on the frequency of weight stigma, weight-based vigilance, and eating behavior over the course of one week.

Weight-Related Safety Cues (Wetzel)

This study examines the impact of context and weight-based safety cues on stigma consciousness, social safety, need satisfaction, rejection expectation, vigilance, body salience, and belonging. We will also examine whether weight-based safety cues transfer to other marginalized identities.

Responses to Disclosure (Wetzel & Monheim)

This study examines how reactions to disclosure of a concealed identity impact feelings about the disclosure experience, closeness to the individual, self-esteem, and authenticity.

Self-Affirmation among people with visible and invisible stigmatized identities (Monheim)

This is Chelsea Monheim's dissertation. This set of studies examines differences in the frequency with which people with VSIs and CSIs engage in spontaneous self-affirmation in general (Study 1) and as as response to social identity threat (Study 2). Further, we examine the relationship between identity and self-affirmation as moderated by internalization and identity centrality. The final study experimentally tests whether engaging in self-affirmation after an identity threat influences psychological wellbeing.

SWAG Lab Posters at SPSP 2025 in Denver

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