Abstract
Weight bias refers to negative attitudes and preconceptions, predominately directed towards people who are larger in size. This can often lead to discrimination in a range of contexts, including the workplace and educational institutions. Nadia Craddock discusses the detrimental and wide-reaching impacts of weight bias and what can be done to avoid weight bias in health-care practice
Highlights
This is an illustration of how weight bias can arise, a phenomenon common among healthcare professionals (Phelan et al, 2015)
Defining Weight Bias The term weight bias refers to negative weight-related attitudes, assumptions, judgments and beliefs towards individuals who are larger in size (Puhl, Andreyeva, & Brownell 2008)
Like other forms of bias, weight bias is manifested by negative stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination (Puhl et al, 2008)
Summary
In addition to the social and economic consequences associated with weight-based discrimination, weight bias predicts multiple negative health outcomes (Puhl & Heuer, 2009). Weight bias has negative implications for healthful behaviours, for example, experiencing weight bias is associated with more unhealthy eating behaviours such as binge eating, extreme dieting and other unhealthy weight control practices (Almeida, Savoy & Boxer, 2011; Durso, Latner & Hayashi, 2012). It leads to the avoidance of physical activity, for fear of being shamed for their weight (Vartanian & Novak, 2011; Pearl, Puhl, & Dovidio, 2015). It’s clear that weight bias and shaming individuals because of their size does not inspire positive, healthful behaviour change
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