Adaptation and validation of the Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M) in Brazilian adults
Sozza, Paula Victoria (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut)
Penelo Werner, Eva (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut)
Laus, Maria Fernanda (Universidade de São Paulo. Departamento de Psicologia)
Sánchez-Carracedo, David (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut)
Almeida, Sebastião S. (Universidade de São Paulo. Departamento de Psicologia)
Braga Costa, Telma Maria (Universidade de São Paulo. Departamento de Psicologia)

Date:	2025
Description:	14 pàg.
Abstract:	Internalized weight stigma refers to individuals' self-stigmatization, leading to selfdevaluation. 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.
Grants:	Agencia Estatal de Investigación PID2022-138977OB-I00
Note:	Altres ajuts: The study was financially supported by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES-PROEX) (Process 88887.514232/2020-00), and the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) (Process 404975/2023-2). P.V.S received the CAPES-PROEX funding. M.F.L., S.S.A. and T.M.B.C received the CNPq funding. And D.S.C. received the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation funding.
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Weight stigma ; WBIS-M ; Body image ; Anti-fat attitudes ; Disordered eating behaviors ; Self-esteem ; Statistical analysis ; Brazil
Published in:	PloS one, Vol. 20 Núm. 7 (2025) , art. e0328176, ISSN 1932-6203

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0328176
PMID: 40743120

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