Weight Stigma and Self-Esteem in the Saudi Community: Statistics on Obesity and Its Associated Illnesses

Background: Weight stigma refers to negative attitudes and beliefs that undervalue people based on their weight status. In our study, we aimed to assess weight-associated stigma and self-esteem among people in Saudi Arabia. Methods: We utilized a descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational research design and asked a convenience sample of 308 persons from the Saudi community to fill out an electronically designed questionnaire. Along with the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ) and the Rosenberg SelfEsteem Scale (RSE), the questionnaire encompassed some sociodemographic data, biometric measures like weight and height, and medical history. Piloting, validity, and reliability testing of the questionnaire were done, and we used the tools without amendment. Results: More than two-fifths of the study sample were obese, whereas about one-third of them were overweight. The study revealed a significant negative correlation between the BMI of the participants and both their mean WSSQ and RSE scales. However, we detected a positive significant correlation between the mean RSE scale and the mean WSSQ. Conclusion: The mean WSSQ was a significant independent predictor of the participants’ mean RSE scale. Female, older, and smoking participants had significantly higher weight stigma feelings compared to others, while married participants had lower self-esteem feelings compared to single participants. Having a higher BMI was significantly correlated with some chronic illnesses such as osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, and osteoporosis. A psychoeducational program is one of the key recommended interventions to increase public awareness about weight management and weight stigma in communities.