Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT764

Background: Weight stigma is defined as discrimination based on weight and body size and is well-documented among adults and children. Individuals who experience weight stigma are at risk of adverse physical and mental health outcomes. To our knowledge, there are no studies evaluating weight stigma in the pediatric Type 1 diabetes (T1D) population despite weight often being reviewed and discussed in diabetes clinic follow-ups.

Objective: Our study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of weight stigma in our pediatric □OBJT1D population and to identify any patient level factors associated with higher prevalence of weight stigma. We also aimed to determine if weight stigma is associated with poorer diabetes related health outcomes and increased diabetes distress.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among pediatric patients at BC Children’s Hospital. Participants completed questionnaires that included experienced weight stigma (EWS), weight bias internalization scale (WBIS), weight self-stigma questionnaire (WSSQ), modified brief illness perception questionnaire (BIPQ) and diabetes distress scale (DDS). Data was extracted from the BC pediatric diabetes registry and chart review to gather patient level data and outcomes. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data.

Results: There were a total of □OBJ□95 participants with a response rate of 30. 6%. The prevalence of experienced weight stigma was found to be 19. 4%, of which 20% identified family members to be the leading source of stigma. Of the participants endorsing weight stigma, 28. 5% scored high for weight self stigma, and 57. 1% scored high for internalized weight stigma. Female sex was found to be associated with weight stigma(P-value <0. 05). Participants experiencing weight stigma had higher diabetes distress (p <0. 001), and presented a non-significant trend towards increased residential instability (OR 1. 46, 95%CI 0. 98-2. 17), and higher A1c (OR 1. 34, 95%CI 0. 98-1. 84).

Discussion: In our institution, we identified 1 in 5 youth living with T1D experience weight stigma. Factors associated with weight stigma are female sex with a trend towards residential instability and higher A1c. As families and peers are key contributors to stigma, these findings underscore the importance of adopting a sensitive approach to discussions about weight in pediatric diabetes clinic. Given the complex interplay of obesity, weight stigma and diabetes management, this remains an important area research for developing interventions in clinical care.