Are Obesity Stigma and Poor Body Image Associated with Avoidance of Cervical Cancer Screening? (2011)

Undergraduate: Morgan Lee

Faculty Advisor: Keith Payne
Department: Psychology & Neuroscience

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Obese individuals are more likely to avoid preventive health screenings, though they are at greater risk for many health problems due to their excess weight. However, the causes of this avoidance and the personal characteristics that predict it remain unclear. This study (1) explored whether obese women’s avoidance of cervical cancer screening is due to a perception of threat in the situation because of body concerns, (2) investigated whether this is true only for obese women or for any woman who is highly concerned about her body and/or others’ perceptions of it (i.e., obesity stigma), and (3) examined how women across the weight spectrum respond to and are influenced by a health message related to cervical cancer. Participants (n=385) completed survey items about their body image, experiences with stigma, and preventive health behavior; viewed and responded to a health message; and completed an attention task. Body image and obesity stigma experience, but not BMI, were associated with being overdue for screening. Greater body image concerns were associated with greater cancer worry and more fear arousal in response to the health message. Obesity stigma experience was associated with reduced perceived cancer vulnerability. Screening intent was not influenced by the health message. Aside from actual BMI, both poor body image and obesity stigma experience appear to play a role in cervical cancer screening behavior, but the exact mechanisms of influence require further study.