A mixed-methods investigation of weight bias reduction in medical students
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 2185443 |
|---|---|
| Authors | J A Rathbone (0000-0003-3910-2648, Australian National University), Lillian Smyth (0000-0003-2679-2969, Australian National University), Tegan Cruwys (0000-0001-5296-3480, Australian National University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 319-337 |
| Publication date | 2024-09-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Fat Studies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2160-486X • E-ISSN: 2160-4851 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/21604851.2024.2409584 |
| OpenAlex | W4403090908 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 33 |
We used a mixed-methods design to test a novel weight bias intervention and understand current attitudes toward people with higher weight and weight-inclusive care among medical students (N = 80). The intervention was embedded in curriculum and uniquely focused on delegitimising the use of weight as a heuristic for health. Almost half of participants (43.8%) responded to both pre- and post-intervention surveys. These participants found the intervention acceptable; and reported significant pre-post reductions in weight bias and endorsement of using weight as a heuristic for health. Less engaged participants reported significantly greater endorsement of using weight as a heuristic for health at pre-intervention. One central theme emerged from pre-intervention qualitative responses, related to how medical students scoped both the problem and the solution. This consisted of three sub-themes: (1) problematizing the system and clinician (and their weight bias), (2) problematizing the patient (who was responsible for their own health), and (3) problematizing the medical condition (weight and health behaviors as problems for the clinician to solve). Participants often showed evidence of several and sometimes contradictory ways of problem-scoping. Problematizing the patient, including weight-stigmatizing assumptions, was particularly pronounced among less engaged participants (i.e. those who did not complete the post-survey). Findings suggest that the intervention may be acceptable and effective in reducing weight bias in medical students who already have lower levels of bias than their peers. Qualitative findings suggest that, even when medical students recognize the harmful impacts of weight stigma and the benefits of weight-inclusive care, approaches to care may remain weight-centric. Together, the findings suggest a key challenge for weight bias reduction among medical students lies in addressing problem-scoping that may encourage weight bias and weight-centric care, and reaching the population most in need of intervention–students with high levels of weight bias
Developmental psychology · Reduction (mathematics · Statistics · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Health Promotion and Cardiovascular Prevention · Mathematics · Obesity and Health Practices · Psychology · Social Psychology
Joint international consensus statement for ending stigma of obesity
Impact of weight bias and stigma on quality of care and outcomes for patients with obesity
The Stigma of Obesity
The behaviour change wheel
Patients' and professionals' experiences and perspectives of obesity in health‐care settings
Can she be healthy at her weight? Effects of news media frames on antifat attitudes, dieting intentions, and perceived health risks of obesity
Empathy and perspective-taking
We must do better
An Evidence‐Based Rationale for Adopting Weight‐Inclusive Health Policy
Designing, implementing and evaluating an educational intervention targeting weight bias and fat stereotyping
Non-stigmatising alternatives to anti-obesity public health messages
Practicing weight-inclusive healthcare in a weight-centric field
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |