Open Access

ARTICLE

Psychometric Properties of the Thai Version of the Weight Stigma Exposure Inventory (WeSEI)

Yen-Chun Wang¹, Kamolthip Ruckwongpatr², Amornthep Jankaew³, Apiradee Pimsen⁴, Chirawat Paratthakonkun⁵, I-Hua Chen⁶, Jung-Sheng Chen⁷, Hsin-Chi Tsai^8,9,*, Nadia Bevan¹⁰, Chung-Ying Lin^1,11,12,13,*

1 Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701401, Taiwan
2 Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, Christian University of Thailand, Nakhon Pathom, 73140, Thailand
3 Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
4 Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
5 College of Sports Science and Technology, Mahidol University, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand
6 Chinese Academy of Education Big Data, Faculty of Education, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, 273165, China
7 Department of Medical Research, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, 82445, Taiwan
8 Department of Psychiatry, Hualien Tzu-Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, 707 Sec. 3, Chung Yang Rd., Hualien, 970473, Taiwan
9 Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, 2 Chien-kuo Rd., Hualien, 970302, Taiwan
10 School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, 20 Chancellors Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
11 Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701401, Taiwan
12 Biostatistics Consulting Center, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701401, Taiwan
13 School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807378, Taiwan

* Corresponding Authors: Hsin-Chi Tsai. Email: ; Chung-Ying Lin. Email:

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2025, 27(11), 1645-1661. https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2025.071081

Received 31 July 2025; Accepted 31 October 2025; Issue published 28 November 2025

Abstract

Background: Weight stigma is prevalent and has multiple sources, which have significant effects on individual, social, physical, and psychological health. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Thai version of WeSEI to provide a valid tool to assess weight stigma in Thai young adults. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey recruited 517 Thai university students from October 2024 to May 2025. All participants completed demographic information and standardized self-reported instruments, including WeSEI, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scale 21 (DASS-21), Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ), and Perceived Weight Stigma Scale (PWSS). The psychometric properties of the Thai version of WeSEI were examined via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with some validity indices. Results: The 7-factor structure of the Thai version of the WeSEI was supported across sex and weight status subgroups, indicating good construct validity. In addition, internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.972; McDonald’s ω = 0.972), convergent, and discriminant validity also indicated that the Thai version of the WeSEI had good psychometric properties and assessed weight stigma among young people in Thailand. Conclusions: Sound psychometric properties of the Thai adaptation of WeSEI allows the identification of various sources contributing to weight stigma and to identify those experiencing high levels of weight stigma. It also provides evidence to support targeted interventions to reduce weight stigma and its associated mental health impacts in further research. Further studies are necessary to explore the utilization of WeSEI for weight stigma in Thailand.

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