A new study from India looked at 142 people seeking weight loss surgery and discovered something important: most of them had internalized negative feelings about their weight. This means they had absorbed society’s judgment and turned it inward, blaming themselves harshly. The research found that younger people and those with higher weights experienced these negative feelings most intensely. These internalized feelings are connected to depression, anxiety, and difficulty sticking to healthy habits. Understanding this problem is the first step toward helping people feel better about themselves while they work on their health.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How much people with obesity blame and judge themselves because of their weight, and whether this self-blame is connected to their age and body size
- Who participated: 142 people (mostly women) visiting a weight loss surgery clinic in India who were seeking help for their weight
- Key finding: About 71% of participants showed high levels of self-blame and negative feelings about their weight. Younger people and those with higher weights felt worse about themselves than others in the group
- What it means for you: If you struggle with weight, you’re not alone in having harsh self-judgment—but this study suggests that addressing these negative feelings might be just as important as diet and exercise for long-term success
The Research Details
Researchers recruited 142 people who came to a weight loss surgery clinic in India and asked them to complete a questionnaire called the Weight Bias Internalization Scale. This scale measures how much people blame themselves for their weight and how negative they feel about their body. The questionnaire asked questions about feelings like shame, self-blame, and body dissatisfaction. The researchers then looked at the answers to see how many people had high levels of these negative feelings and whether age or weight affected the results.
This type of study is called ‘cross-sectional,’ which means researchers took a snapshot of people at one point in time rather than following them over months or years. It’s like taking a photo instead of making a movie. This approach is useful for understanding how common a problem is, but it can’t prove that one thing causes another.
Understanding how much people blame themselves for their weight is important because these feelings directly affect mental health and the ability to make healthy changes. If someone feels too ashamed or hopeless, they’re less likely to stick with exercise or healthy eating. This study is especially important for India because most research on this topic has been done in Western countries, and weight bias might work differently in different cultures.
This study has some strengths: it used a validated questionnaire (a tool that’s been tested and proven reliable), and it looked at a real-world group of people seeking help. However, the study only included people at one clinic, so the results might not represent all of India. Also, the study was mostly women (79%), so we don’t know if men would have similar experiences. The study shows what’s happening but can’t prove that self-blame causes weight gain or that fixing self-blame will lead to weight loss.
What the Results Show
The average score on the self-blame scale was 4.7 out of a possible range, and 71% of participants scored above the middle point, meaning they experienced high levels of self-blame and negative body feelings. This tells us that most people in the study were being very hard on themselves about their weight.
Younger people in the study showed even more self-blame than older people. For example, a 25-year-old might have blamed themselves more than a 50-year-old. This is interesting because it suggests that younger people may be more affected by society’s messages about weight and appearance.
People with higher body weights also reported more self-blame than those with lower weights. This creates a difficult situation: the people who might benefit most from feeling good about themselves and being motivated to change are actually feeling the worst about themselves.
The study found that people reported feeling dissatisfied with their weight, having low self-worth, and experiencing emotional pain connected to their weight. These feelings often go together—when people blame themselves, they also tend to feel sad, anxious, and hopeless.
The research also noted that these negative feelings about weight are connected to other mental health problems like depression and anxiety. When people internalize weight bias (turn society’s judgment into self-judgment), they’re more likely to struggle emotionally. Additionally, the study suggests that these feelings may make it harder for people to stick with healthy changes or to stay motivated to exercise.
Studies from Western countries have shown similar patterns—that self-blame about weight is common and harmful. However, this is the first study to measure this problem specifically in India. The findings suggest that weight bias and self-blame are not just Western problems but affect people across different cultures and countries. This is important because it means solutions need to be developed for different populations.
The study only looked at people seeking weight loss surgery, so we don’t know if people who aren’t considering surgery feel the same way. The group was mostly women, so we can’t be sure men experience the same levels of self-blame. The study was done at one clinic, so results might be different in other parts of India. Because this is a snapshot study, we can’t tell if self-blame causes weight problems or if weight problems cause self-blame—it could work both ways. Finally, the study doesn’t tell us what would help reduce these negative feelings.
The Bottom Line
If you’re struggling with weight, consider addressing your mental health and self-compassion alongside physical health changes. This might include talking to a counselor or therapist who understands weight-related shame. Mental health support appears to be just as important as diet and exercise. These recommendations are based on research showing connections between self-blame and difficulty making healthy changes, though more studies are needed to prove what treatments work best.
This research is most relevant for people with obesity who are considering weight loss surgery or struggling with their weight. It’s also important for doctors, therapists, and counselors who work with people on weight management. Family members and friends should also understand that harsh self-judgment makes weight management harder, not easier. People of normal weight don’t need to apply these findings to themselves, but they should understand that shaming people about weight is actually counterproductive.
Addressing self-blame and negative feelings is a longer-term process than seeing physical changes. You might notice improvements in mood and motivation within a few weeks of starting mental health support, but deeper changes in how you feel about yourself typically take several months. These emotional improvements can then support better long-term success with physical health goals.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track your self-talk and emotional state daily using a simple mood and self-compassion log. Rate your self-criticism on a scale of 1-10 each day and note what triggered harsh self-judgment. This helps you see patterns and recognize when you’re being too hard on yourself.
- Practice one act of self-compassion daily. When you notice self-blame about weight, pause and ask yourself: ‘Would I say this to a friend?’ If not, reframe the thought more kindly. Use the app to record these moments and celebrate when you catch yourself being more compassionate.
- Weekly check-ins on emotional well-being alongside physical metrics. Track not just weight or exercise, but also mood, anxiety levels, and how you feel about your body. Notice whether weeks with better self-compassion correlate with better adherence to healthy habits. Share these insights with a healthcare provider or therapist.
This research describes patterns observed in one group of people in India and should not be used for self-diagnosis. If you’re experiencing depression, anxiety, or disordered eating related to your weight, please consult with a mental health professional or doctor. This study shows connections between self-blame and emotional struggles but doesn’t prove that one causes the other. Weight management decisions should always be made in consultation with qualified healthcare providers who know your individual situation. This information is educational and not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice.