Observational studyObesity facts2024
Discrimination and Stigma Associated with Obesity: A Comparative Study between Spain and Egypt - Data from the OBESTIGMA study.
Observational study in Obesity facts, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Social Perception of Obesity - A 2025 Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey Among Adults in Poland.International journal of public health · 2026Article
- Awareness of obesity's causes is not linked to less Weight-Related bias.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- The weight of words: investigating the role of weight stigma and body mass index in shaping children and youth's emotional experiences.Journal of eating disorders · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
20 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
introductionThis study explores the under-investigated area of obesity-related discrimination and stigmatization across different countries, specifically comparing Spain (Europe) and Egypt (Middle East).
methodsWe conducted a cross-sectional observational study involving 2,090 participants from both countries. Participants completed three well-validated questionnaires to assess their attitudes toward obesity, experiences of weight-related stigma, and internalization of weight bias: Antifat Attitudes Scale (AFA), Stigmatizing Situations Inventory (SSI), and Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS). Participants were categorized into four groups based on body mass index (BMI) and history bariatric surgery.
resultsEgyptian participants (BMI = 30.2 ± 6.7 kg/m2 [range: 18.5-69.0 kg/m2]) showed significantly higher aversion toward obesity, as indicated by higher AFA score, compared to their Spanish counterparts (BMI = 35.4 ± 10.1 kg/m2 [18.5-71.9 kg/m2]). In contrast, Spanish participants reported higher levels of weight bias internalization with increasing BMI, while in Egypt, this association was negative. The association of bariatric surgery on stigma reduction also differed between the countries. Multivariate analysis revealed that residing in Egypt was an independent risk factor for higher scores in AFA and WBIS (odds ratio 8.20 [95% confidence interval: 6.78-9.62], p < 0.001 and odds ratio (OR) 6.28 [95% CI: 4.78-7.78], p < 0.001, respectively). In contrast, Spaniards experienced more stigmatizing situations than Egyptians (OR -2.54 [95% CI: 6.78-9.62], p < 0.001).
conclusionOur study underscores the complex and diverse nature of obesity-related attitudes across cultures. Understanding these cultural differences is crucial for developing effective, culturally sensitive strategies to tackle weight stigma. This research opens avenues for further studies and interventions tailored to cultural contexts.
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