Weight bias Flashcards
(17 cards)
What is weight stigma?
negative weight-related attitudes, beliefs and assumptions/judgements made towards individuals based on their weight.
How do biases/stigma arise?
Social attitudes and beliefs rooted in nature where stigma against those who are different can help protect.
How do the media perpetuate -ve views of people who are obese and overweight and how may some of these techniques be undermining the message they’re giving?
Through images of seated (lazy), eating (greedy) and faceless (shameful) individuals.
Also through exaggerated images for stories about overweight individuals, leading to the message being ignored by those who aren’t as overweight as the image.
Does stigma have an impact on mental health?
-reference
a small meaningful impact
- Emmer et al (2019)
How does weight bias influence stigma?
Weight bias impact how the physical environment is designed (i.e. aeroplane seat size) and/or how society views obesity which can increase the visibility of a person’s weight, causing the individual to potentially perceive stigma.
How does weight stigma affect PA participation? (theory and basic evidence)
Stigma can lead to avoidance of places where you’re more likely to be made aware of your weight and possibly experience stigma (e.g. gym or doctors). Also, lead to shame and a change in self-identity.
Those living with obesity are less likely to visit the doctor due to -ve attitudes associated with unsolicited weight loss advice and embarrassment of being weighed. - Amy et al (2016)
Overview the evidence into the effect of weight stigma on mental health and participation in weight management techniques (incl. PA).
Work looking at kids and adults in PA settings (PE lessons and the gym) found that weight bias was associated with reduced physical self-concept, PA self-efficacy and PA levels.
Perceived stigma may promote weight management in some cases, but these are typically through maladaptive coping strategies (e.g. fasting), undermining mental health and wellbeing in the process.
- (Puhl & Sun, 2015; Schvey et al, 2017)
How common is weight bias in exercise and nutrition practitioners?
- reference
73-85% occurrence
- Panza et al (2018)
What is the downside of the Panza et al (2018) into weight bias in nutrition and exercise practitioners?
Cross-sectional studies reviewed so there’s a poor understanding of the reason behind the bias being present.
More robust study designs (e.g. RCT) would better establish the inciting events/experiences that led to the formation of weight bias.
Why is reducing weight bias within the health services important?
Health professionals play a vital role in the care of obese/overweight patients and bias may influence the advice given based on assumptions of willpower, character, ability and motivation.
Creating a more supportive, empathetic and non-judgemental environment will help reduce perceived stigma and hopefully aid in increasing PA, self-efficacy and reduce avoidance behaviours.
What are some general methods of reducing weight stigma?
- People first and +ve language
- Avoid coupling the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and weight with children
- Increase understanding of obesity and causes
What is the World Obesity Federation trying to do to decrease the perpetuation of the -ve view of obesity in the media?
providing free images of individuals living with obesity in positive settings such as taking exercise, being outside, upright, working and cooking with children.
What are the 4 categories of things that the fitness industry can do to help reduce weight bias according to Puhl & Warton (2007)?
1) increase self-awareness
2) Better communication
3) Suitable facilities
4) Education
Describe how the fitness industry can help reduce weight bias by increasing awareness.
Ask yourself questions such as
“Am I sensitive to the needs of a client with obesity?”
“Do I make weight-based assumptions?”
“Do I encourage celebrating +ve life changes regardless of weight change?”
Describe how the fitness industry can help reduce weight bias by improving communication.
Use people-first language
Be aware of verbal and non-verbal expressions of bias
Describe how the fitness industry can help reduce weight bias by making facilities more inclusive.
Have a diverse and educated group of staff
Private weighing facilities
Equipment that can accommodate clients of greater weights to help reduce the visibility of weight, in turn reducing perceived stigma.
Describe how the fitness industry can help reduce weight bias through education.
Educators: include weight bias teaching in the curriculum.
Students: Increase awareness of potential biases and take opportunities to engage with courses etc.
