Sleep Quantity and the Perception of Weight-Stigma Threat

This study investigated the interaction between the perception of weight stigma, sleep quantity, and BMI/self-perceived body weight. We hypothesized that participants with higher BMIs and individuals who perceived themselves as overweight would be more likely to interpret mistreatment of an overweight person as a result of weight-stigma if they are sleep deprived. Participants completed an online survey in which they were presented with a vignette depicting a situation in which an individual was discriminated against. The vignette was accompanied by either an obese or thin image of the individual who was being discriminated against. Participants were asked a series of questions about the what the main reason for discrimination was as well as how important of a factor body weight was in propagating the discrimination. The survey included questions about the participants sleep habits and dieting habits as well. Results showed that participants recognized that body weight was an important factor in why the individual was discriminated against, however, there was no significant interaction found between the perception of weight stigma, sleep quantity, and BMI/self-perceived body weight. The findings suggest that people have the ability to recognize that body weight can cause an individual to be discriminated against