Family-based weight stigma and psychological well-being of adolescents: a longitudinal analysis of recent vs. cumulative exposure

This study provides novel insights into how the timing (recency vs. persistent exposure) and source (maternal vs. paternal) of family-based stigma shape adolescent outcomes in a non-Anglo-Saxon sample. Recent family-based weight stigma negatively impacts adolescent psychological well-being, with girls being particularly vulnerable. The absence of an effect from cumulative exposure warrants further exploration. Preventive strategies should educate parents to avoid stigmatizing comments and promote messages that prioritize well-being over weight, particularly before the onset of mid-to-late adolescence. Finally, research is needed to better understand the temporal dynamics of parental weight-related comments and their impact on adolescents.