TY - JOUR
T1 - Weight Stigma and Avoidance of Physical Activity and Sport
T2 - Development of a Scale and Establishment of Correlates
AU - Bevan, Nadia
AU - O’Brien, Kerry S.
AU - Latner, Janet D.
AU - Lin, Chung Ying
AU - Vandenberg, Brian
AU - Jeanes, Ruth
AU - Fung, Xavier C.C.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 by the authors.
PY - 2022/12
Y1 - 2022/12
N2 - Participation in sport and physical activity (PA) is declining, and the psychosocial factors underpinning avoidance of these activities are not understood. This study developed and tested a new measure assessing the tendency to avoid PA and sport because of weight stigma and appearance-related concerns. University students (n = 581, mean age = 19.8 years) completed an online survey at two time points. Demographic details and measures of weight stigmatization, appearance evaluations, and enjoyment and participation in PA or sport were taken. In addition, we developed and tested a new measure of the tendency to avoid physical activity and sport (TAPAS). Psychometric testing of the scale was conducted, and correlates of TAPAS were examined. The ten-item TAPAS provided a single factor solution, and the final scale score was predictive of lower levels of enjoyment of, and participation in, physical activity and sport (p < 0.001). The scale also displayed good internal and test-retest reliability. This study provides a new measure for assessing people’s tendency to avoid PA and sport because of weight stigma or appearance-related concerns. The results suggest that initiatives seeking to increase participation in PA and sport may need to address weight stigma and associated appearance related concerns.
AB - Participation in sport and physical activity (PA) is declining, and the psychosocial factors underpinning avoidance of these activities are not understood. This study developed and tested a new measure assessing the tendency to avoid PA and sport because of weight stigma and appearance-related concerns. University students (n = 581, mean age = 19.8 years) completed an online survey at two time points. Demographic details and measures of weight stigmatization, appearance evaluations, and enjoyment and participation in PA or sport were taken. In addition, we developed and tested a new measure of the tendency to avoid physical activity and sport (TAPAS). Psychometric testing of the scale was conducted, and correlates of TAPAS were examined. The ten-item TAPAS provided a single factor solution, and the final scale score was predictive of lower levels of enjoyment of, and participation in, physical activity and sport (p < 0.001). The scale also displayed good internal and test-retest reliability. This study provides a new measure for assessing people’s tendency to avoid PA and sport because of weight stigma or appearance-related concerns. The results suggest that initiatives seeking to increase participation in PA and sport may need to address weight stigma and associated appearance related concerns.
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U2 - 10.3390/ijerph192316370
DO - 10.3390/ijerph192316370
M3 - Article
C2 - 36498442
AN - SCOPUS:85143604499
SN - 1661-7827
VL - 19
JO - International journal of environmental research and public health
JF - International journal of environmental research and public health
IS - 23
M1 - 16370
ER -