The effects of an acute weight stigma exposure on cardiovascular reactivity among women with obesity and hypertension: A randomized trial

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In a randomized experiment, we assessed the influence of two video exposures, depicting either weight stigmatizing (STIGMA) or non-stigmatizing (NEUTRAL) scenes, on cardiovascular reactivity [resting blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), ambulatory BP (ABP), and ambulatory HR (AHR)], among women with obesity and high BP (HBP; n=24) or normal BP (NBP; n=25). Laboratory SBP/DBP increased more in women with HBP than NBP following the STIGMA versus NEUTRAL video. For the primary outcome, ABP increased more in HBP than NBP over sleep following the STIGMA versus NEUTRAL video, as did HR during sleep. Weight stigma increases cardiovascular reactivity among women with obesity and HBP in the laboratory and under ambulatory conditions.

Full citation: Panza, G., Puhl, R.M., Taylor, B.A., Cilhoroz, B., Himmelstein, M.S., Fernandez, A.B., Pescatello, L.S. (2022). The effects of an acute weight stigma exposure on cardiovascular reactivity among women with obesity and hypertension: A randomized trial. Journal of Psychosomatic Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2022.111124