Positive and Negative Appearance-Related Feedback and Weight Status
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2009
Keywords
Verbal Commentary on Physical Appearance Scale (VCOPAS), teasing, self-esteem, obesity
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325123
Abstract
Previous reports have well documented that many overweight and obese individuals experience negative appearance-related commentary regarding their weight status. In the current study, both negative and positive comments were assessed using a new scale (Verbal Commentary on Physical Appearance Scale) within four weight categories (underweight, average weight, overweight and obese) in 246 women. The results indicated that overweight and obese participants received less positive weight-related comments than average and underweight individuals, but there were no group differences in the level of positive non-weight-related comments (i.e., other aspects of appearance). Correlational analyses indicated that less negative and more positive feedback were associated with higher self-esteem for average weight individuals, whereas for the combined overweight and obese sample, higher scores on both positive subscales were associated with higher self-esteem. The findings offer the first empirical evidence regarding the relative levels of negative and positive appearance feedback reported by individuals of different weight categories and their relations with overall self-esteem.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Eating and Weight Disorders, v. 14, issue 4, p. 234-236
Scholar Commons Citation
Herbozo, Sylvia and Thompson, Joel K., "Positive and Negative Appearance-Related Feedback and Weight Status" (2009). Psychology Faculty Publications. 2229.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/psy_facpub/2229
