Abstract
ABSTRACT To address widespread weight stigma across the physical activity landscape, scholars have emphasized the need to provide exercise professionals with educational programs that help them (a) identify their biases, (b) reflect on their assumptions about higher-weight individuals, and (c) apply tangible strategies to enhance the inclusivity of fitness spaces. This pilot study assessed the impact of an educational intervention on exercise professionals’ anti-fat attitudes. The intervention was a two-hour, self-paced, online course titled Weight Inclusive Thinking for Fitness Spaces (WIT FITS). The course scope was designed upon the Health at Every Size® (HAES®) paradigm, attribution theory, and the strategies available in the literature to create weight-inclusive climates within fitness settings. This study was conducted using a one-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design. Participants were 36 employees at recreation centers from three public universities in the Western region of the United States. Data were collected during pre-and post-intervention using the anti-fat attitudes test (AFAT), demographics, and a post-course evaluation survey. Results showed participants’ anti-fat attitudes significantly decreased from pre-to posttest. Specifically, participants’ scores significantly declined in two AFAT subscales: weight control/blame and physical/romantic unattractiveness. Outcomes from this pilot study suggest that the WIT FITS course has the potential to offer a practical, low-cost, and scalable way for in-service professionals to learn about weight and health and improve their attitudes toward larger-bodied people.
Published Version
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