Weight Stigma and University Media

Abstract

Non-inclusive media images of and text pertaining to people with higher body weights can perpetuate weight stigma. This qualitative study explored the college student’s perspective of body messaging at a public university. Body messaging included images of people and text found within university print materials and social media platforms. We engaged a sample of seven participants, all of whom self- identified as a person of larger body size. The photovoice method was used for data collection where participants collected photographs of body messages the university included on print materials and social media platforms. Participants then completed an online questionnaire composed of open-ended questions about each photo. By using photovoice, we discovered the body messages participants found worthy of capturing. From the 27 photovoice body messages, over 40% did not have size diversity or if they did, they were placed in non-prominent locations on campus. Participants reported feeling excluded and hidden by the non-weight inclusive messages. Results from this study suggest that university body messaging may be part of the experience of weight stigma. Recommendations are provided for universities on how to promote weight inclusive environments through body messaging found in policy, programs and practice.