Relationship between body mass index and quality of life among Malaysian young adults: Sequential mediated effects of perceived weight stigma and weight-related self-stigma
The present cross-sectional study examined how perceived weight stigma (PWS) and weight-related self-stigma (WRSS) may sequentially mediate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and quality of life (QoL) among Malaysian young adults. Malaysian university students (<i>n</i> = 1044; mean age = 21.3 years) self-reported their height/weight and completed the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire, Perceived Weight Stigma Scale, and World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF. Sequential mediation analyses assessed direct/indirect effects of BMI on QoL domains (including physical, psychological, social, and environmental) and overall QoL, with PWS and WRSS as mediators. Higher BMI (i) positively related to PWS (<i>r</i> = 0.150, <i>p</i> < 0.01) and WRSS (<i>r</i> = 0.469, <i>p</i> < 0.01); and (ii) negatively related to psychological QoL (<i>r</i> = -0.105, <i>p</i> < 0.01) and general health (<i>r</i> = -0.148, <i>p</i> < 0.01). Sequential mediation analyses showed significantly negative indirect effects of BMI on all QoL domains via PWS and WRSS. Therefore, PWS and WRSS are important factors in the relationship between BMI and QoL among Malaysian young adults.
Authors
- Mark Damian Griffiths (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8880-6524)
- Serene En Hui Tung (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9122-7523)
- Yan-Li Siaw (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2815-4867)
- Yu-Ting Huang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3212-3088)
- Jung‐Sheng Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3187-9479)
- Nadia Bevan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5213-4057)
- I‐Ching Lin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1418-4977)
- Wai Chuen Poon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1258-3576)
- Wan Ying Gan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9016-3414)
- Chung‐Ying Lin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2129-4242)
- Wen‐Li Hou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6685-3837)
- Ru-Yi Huang
Institutions
- Universiti Putra Malaysia (MY)
- Asia University (TW)
- Kaohsiung Medical University (TW)
- National Taiwan University (TW)
- Tzu Chi University (TW)
- University of Malaya (MY)
- E-Da Hospital (TW)
- Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital (TW)
- National Cheng Kung University Hospital (TW)
- Nottingham Trent University (GB)
- Monash University (AU)
- Chienkuo Technology University (TW)
- IMU University (MY)
- Sunway University (MY)
- Academia Sinica (TW)
- National Cheng Kung University (TW)
- I-Shou University (TW)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Health Psychology
- Published
- 2025-08-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1177/13591053251358460
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Obesity and Health Practices
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.02
Funders
- National Science and Technology Council