Process / pipelineweight-stigma-attitudes

Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS)

The Weight Bias Internalization Scale is an 11-item self-report instrument designed to measure the degree to which individuals with overweight or obesity internalize negative weight-based societal stereotypes and apply them to themselves. Developed by Durso and Latner in 2008, the WBIS measures self-directed weight stigma—the belief that one is inferior, lazy, or undesirable due to body weight. The WBIS is widely used in obesity research, psychological intervention studies, and health behavior research examining the impact of weight stigma on weight-related outcomes and mental health.

Open in MethodMindSoonVideoSoon

Read the full method

Members only

Sign in with a free account to read this section.

Sign in

Sources

  1. Ratz, T., & Miller, R. L. (2016). The Weight Bias Internalization Scale: Validation in a multiplex platform sample. Body Image, 16, 29-38. DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2015.11.006
  2. Durso, L. E., & Latner, J. D. (2016). Understanding self-directed stigma: Development of the Weight Bias Internalization Scale. Obesity, 16(S2), 80-86. DOI: 10.1038/oby.2008.448

Related methods

Referenced by

ScholarGateWBIS (Weight Bias Internalization Scale). Retrieved 2026-06-04 from https://scholargate.app/en/nutritional-science/weight-bias-internalization-scale