Internalized weight bias is associated with perceived exertion and affect during exercise in a sample with higher body weight.

Findings indicate that among individuals of higher body weight, IWB is associated with reporting higher perceived exertion during 30 min of moderate intensity PA. IWB moderated the relationship between increasing HR during exercise and affect. Among individuals with overweight/obesity who report IWB, the initial experience of PA may be harder and more unpleasant, with lasting implications for the adoption of PA.