Expand Your Horizon: An Online Writing Intervention for Women

The Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M) is a modified version of the Weight Bias Internalization Scale that was adapted for use with individuals across the weight spectrum. The WBIS-M measures the degree to which individuals apply weight-based stereotypes to themselves and use those to guide their weight self-evaluations. Items are rated on a 7-point scale, with higher scores reflecting greater degrees of weight bias internalization.

Body functionality appreciation will be assessed using the Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS). The Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS) is a 7-item scale that measures appreciation for the functionality of one's body, which is believed to help offset appearance concerns. Items are rated on a 5-point scale with higher scores reflecting greater appreciation for the functionality of one's body.

Body dissatisfaction will be measured using Body-Image Ideals Questionnaire (BIQ. The BIQ is a 22-item measure that assesses appearance satisfaction. This scale examines both perceived discrepancy between one's body image ideal and current appearance as well as the importance of appearance to one's self-concept.

Objectified body consciousness will be assessed using the Body Consciousness Scale (OBCS). This is a 24-item measure that assesses the degree to which one experiences their body as an object.

Self-Compassion will be assessed using the Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF). This is a 12-item measure that assesses the degree to which one is able to hold her or his own feelings of suffering with a sense of warmth, connection, and concern

Depression will be assessed using the depression subscale of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21). This measure asks participants to rate the frequency and severity of negative emotions over the previous week. Items are rated on a four-point scale (0 = did not apply to me at all, 3 = applied to me very much or most of the time).

Anxiety will be assessed using the anxiety subscale of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21). This measure asks participants to rate the frequency and severity of negative emotions over the previous week. Items are rated on a four-point scale (0 = did not apply to me at all, 3 = applied to me very much or most of the time).

Stress will be assessed using the stress subscale of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21). This measure asks participants to rate the frequency and severity of negative emotions over the previous week. Items are rated on a four-point scale (0 = did not apply to me at all, 3 = applied to me very much or most of the time).

Healthcare Stress will be assessed using a scale created by weight stigma researchers. This is a five-item scale that was originally adapted for a study on healthcare anxiety in higher weight women. Participants use a 10-point scale (1 = No stress, 10 = Very stressed) to indicate their level of stress when thinking about numerous healthcare encounters.

Healthcare Avoidance will be assessed by a four-item scale that measures how often someone avoids healthcare. The measure was adapted for the current study such that we deleted an item about mammograms because it is not relevant to this age group. Also, given the short follow-up period, we assumed that participants' healthcare utilization would not change over the course of the study. Thus, we also modified the rating scale to reflect intent to avoid healthcare. Participants will use a five-point scale (1 = Extremely Likely, 5 = Extremely Unlikely) to indicate their likelihood to utilize numerous healthcare encounters.

Physical activity acceptance will be assessed using the Physical Activity Acceptance Questionnaire (PAAQ). The PAAQ is a 10-item measure that assesses participants' ability to accept the discomfort associated with exercising.

Disordered eating will be assessed using the Eating Disorder Examination - Questionnaire (EDE-Q). The EDE-Q is a 28-item self-report version of the Eating Disorder Examination that measures frequency of disordered eating cognitions and behaviors experienced in the previous 28 days. Participants rate the number of days behaviors have occurred in the last 28 days, with 0 = no days and 6 = every day. Yes/no questions identify the presence of compensatory and binge behaviors and participants indicate the frequency of these behaviors over the last 28 days. Higher EDE-Q scores indicate greater eating pathology.