Abortion stigma among abortion seekers, healthcare professionals and the public in high-income countries: A mixed-methods systematic review protocol.

Introduction: Abortion is a crucial sexual and reproductive right. However, the legal situation of pregnancy termination is rather heterogeneous across countries and regions. The political climate and cultural perception may result in abortion-related stigma.

Digital communication and virtual reality for extending the behavioural treatment of obesity - the patients' perspective: results of an online survey in Germany.

Background: CBT has been found effective for the treatment of EDs and obesity. However not all patients achieve clinically significant weight loss and weight regain is common. In this context, technology-based interventions can be used to enhance traditional CBT but are not yet widespread.

The relationship between weight history and psychological health-Differences related to gender and weight loss patterns.

Background: The prevalence and burden of obesity continues to grow worldwide. Psychological comorbidities may not only influence quality of life, but may also hinder successful weight loss. The causality between excess weight and mental health issues is still not fully understood.

Cancer prevention in females with and without obesity: Does perceived and internalised weight bias determine cancer prevention behaviour?

Background: Women with obesity are not only at higher risk of developing cancer such as gynaecological malignancies but are also less likely to attend cancer prevention screenings (CPS). In this study, we aimed to obtain a better database for Germany and to investigate whether women with obesity are less likely to undergo CPS compared to women without obesity. Moreover, we aimed to identify factors that determine CPS behaviour.

The wide variety of reasons for feeling guilty in adults: findings from a large cross-sectional web-based survey.

Background: Experiencing some sort of guilt is a common phenomenon in adulthood. As feeling guilty is usually unpleasant and may even lead to further negative psychological consequences like depression, the aim of this study was to provide comprehensive information on the reasons for such feelings in adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted between May 2019 and April 2020, collecting qualitative information on reasons for feeling guilty in n = 604 adults (mean/SD age = 45.

Strategies of adults for dealing with feelings of guilt - findings from a large web-based survey.

Background: Feelings of guilt are common in adulthood. Depending on the situation, individuals need different strategies for dealing with these usually unpleasant experiences. The aim of this study was to provide comprehensive empirical information about such different guilt-related strategies used in adulthood.

Attitude of Nutrition Experts Toward Psychotherapy and Virtual Reality as Part of Obesity Treatment-An Online Survey.

Background: The management of obesity requires lifestyle-based interventions covering nutrition, physical activity, and behavior. As part of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), body image therapy approaches can be used not only by psychotherapists. One tool to conduct behavioral therapy is virtual reality (VR).

A Structured Intervention for Medical Students Significantly Improves Awareness of Stigmatisation in Visible Chronic Skin Diseases: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

People with visible skin diseases often experience stigmatisation. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a new intervention for medical students to counter the stigmatisation of people with skin diseases. The intervention was evaluated using a randomised controlled design.

Efficacy of DiaLife, an Education Program for Relatives of Adults with Diabetes - A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: Diabetes affects the lives of patients and their close relatives. Considering the proven benefit of patient education programs, DiaLife was elaborated as the first German education program addressing the needs of relatives. The objective of this study was to investigate its efficacy.

Assessment of stigma related to visible skin diseases: a systematic review and evaluation of patient-reported outcome measures.

Misconceptions about visible skin diseases are widespread, and patients often face discrimination and stigmatization due to their condition. The associated negative health and psychosocial consequences of stigmatization in skin diseases have prompted an increase in research activity in recent times, resulting in a wide variety of assessment measures. This study aimed at aggregating and evaluating evidence of psychometric properties and methodological quality of published measures to assess stigma in visible skin diseases.

Weight Stigma and Disease and Disability Concepts of Obesity: A Survey of the German Population.

Introduction: Recent years have witnessed a medicalization of obesity, promoting a classification as a disease or disability in order to reduce or protect against weight stigma and discrimination. This study sought to investigate the public understanding of the disability and disease concepts in obesity, their acceptance, and association with weight stigma.

Methods: In a representative German population sample (n = 2,524), public views of obesity as a disease or disability were assessed via a self-report questionnaire.

Effectiveness of a structured short intervention against stigmatisation in chronic visible skin diseases: Results of a controlled trial in future educators.

Background: Chronic visible skin diseases are highly prevalent, and patients affected frequently report feeling stigmatised. Interventions to reduce stigmatisation are rare.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured short intervention in reducing stigmatising attitudes towards psoriasis in future educators.

Using a brief web-based 5A intervention to improve weight management in primary care: results of a cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Background: The primary health care setting is considered a major starting point in successful obesity management. However, research indicates insufficient quality of weight counseling in primary care. Aim of the present study was to implement and evaluate a 5A online tutorial aimed at improving weight management and provider-patient-interaction in primary health care.

Feelings of guilt in the general adult population: prevalence, intensity and association with depression.

To feel guilty can motivate for prosocial behavior but may also lead to negative health-related outcomes. The aim of this study was to provide epidemiological information on guilt feelings in the German general adult population. Based on findings from a nation-wide telephone survey (n=1,003 adultsaged 18+ years), we calculated weighted point prevalence rates for guilt feelings and used multivariable logistic regression analyses to evaluate the association between the guilt feelings and covariates.

Body appreciation and appearance evaluation in individuals with obesity compared to individuals with normal-weight: findings from a representative German population sample.

Purpose: Body image has been identified as an important factor in mental health in individuals with obesity. Previous studies have focused on negative body image and research of positive body image-particularly in obesity-is still in its infancy. The current study explored the positive body image facet body appreciation and the negative facet appearance evaluation in different BMI groups as well as men and women.

[Lifetime Prevalence of Feelings of Guilt in the German Adult Population - Results of a Nation-Wide Telephone Survey].

Objective: To provide information on lifetime prevalence of feelings of guilt in the German adult population based on data from a nation-wide telephone survey (n = 1.003; 18+ years; May-June 2019).

Methods: We calculated weighted lifetime prevalence rates with confidence intervals (95 %-CI) and used multivariable logistic regression analyses to evaluate the association of guilt feelings with covariates.

Attitudes and treatment practice of general practitioners towards patients with obesity in primary care.

Background: Obesity is one of the most common and relevant health problems in need of urgent action in Germany. General practitioners (GPs) are the initial contact and thus one of the most important starting points for the successful treatment of overweight and obesity. The aim of the study was to assess the treatment practice and attitudes towards patients with obesity in primary health care in Germany.

[Are Especially Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder Stigmatised by Psychiatric Nurses?].

Objective: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) appears to be the most stigmatized diagnosis among personality disorders. This study aims to assess attitudes of psychiatric nurses towards patients with BPD compared to patients with depressive disorder.

Method: 37 psychiatric nurses were randomized to an experimental between-subject design, in form of two questionnaires with different vignettes.

Does weight-related stigmatisation and discrimination depend on educational attainment and level of income? A systematic review.

Objectives: Obesity is considered a global health issue, because of its health-related consequences and also because of its impact on social status as a result of stigma. This study aims to review the quantitative state of research regarding socioeconomic characteristics' influence on weight-related stigmatisation and discrimination. Based on Bourdieu's Theory of Class and his concept of 'habitus', it is assumed that people with a higher level of education and income show stronger negative attitudes towards people with obesity.

Internalized weight bias and cortisol reactivity to social stress.

Weight-associated stigmatization and discrimination may induce chronic stress in individuals with obesity. As a consequence, this stressor may cause an imbalance of HPA stress axis leading to increased eating behavior, and ultimately, weight gain. However, the direct link between internalized weight bias and stress response to acute stressors via cortisol secretion has not been investigated so far.

Weigh More, Pay More? Public Opinion on Varying Health Insurance Contributions among Divergent Weight Groups.

Background: The prevalence of obesity and its related costs has increased over the past decades. In Germany, obesity-related costs are merely covered by statuary health insurance. Within the statutory health care system, the health insurance contributions do not differ between people with and without health issues, such as being obese.

Public beliefs about causes of obesity in the USA and in Germany.

Objectives: Differences in public beliefs about causes of obesity between the USA and Germany are analyzed. We additionally examine the relevance of social characteristics of individuals with obesity for causal attributions in the two countries.

Methods: National telephone surveys were conducted in both countries (total sample = 2802).

Efficacy of DiaLife, an education program for relatives of adult patients with diabetes - study protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: The global prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) has been increasing over recent decades. In Germany, the prevalence for DM type 1 and type 2 in adults is estimated at about 7.7%.

Altruistic Behavior Depending on Opponents' Body Weight: An Experimental Approach.

Background: Obesity is a worldwide public health issue, not only because it is associated with numerous comorbid diseases but also because of its impact on the social level. This study aims to investigate (a) whether altruistic behavior differs between people with obesity and people who are not obese, (b) altruistic behavior toward people who are obese, in particular, women who are obese, and (c) implicit and explicit attitudes toward people with obesity as predictors for divergent altruistic behavior.

Methods: An experimental approach called the dictator game was applied.