Abstract
Obesity stigma is highly prevalent in society and is acted upon by friends, family, teachers, and medical professionals. Widely held stereotypes and internalization thereof can negatively affect behavior change. Ways in which weight-related stigma consciousness, body esteem, and attitudes toward obese people play a role in eating behaviors were explored. Results showed that possession of a negative attitude toward obese people was related to stigma consciousness, low body esteem, and higher perceived barriers to healthy eating. Weight stigma and internalization of weight stigmata can be disempowering, and potentially undermine efforts to treat and prevent obesity.