Understanding how weight stigma affects health behaviors
Official title: Obesity stigma and health behavior: An experimental approach
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10642736 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how negative feelings and discrimination about weight can affect people's eating and exercise habits, especially for those with obesity, and it aims to find ways to help them cope better with these challenges.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $375,668 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL158555-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10642736 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 who experience weight stigma and are at risk for obesity or cardiovascular diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience weight stigma or who are not affected by obesity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of weight stigma—negative attitudes and discrimination towards individuals with obesity—on health behaviors such as diet and exercise. By using experimental methods, the study aims to uncover how weight stigma contributes to obesity and cardiovascular disease risk. Participants will be monitored in their everyday environments to assess the real-world effects of stigma on their health-related behaviors. The research also seeks to identify resilience factors that may help individuals cope with stigma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to strategies that mitigate the harmful effects of weight stigma, improving health outcomes for individuals affected by obesity.
How similar studies have gone: While some studies have documented the negative effects of weight stigma, this research aims to provide novel insights into causal relationships and resilience factors, making it a unique approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tomiyama, a. Janet — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Tomiyama, a. Janet
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.