Weight Bias among Health Professionals Specializing in Obesity

• DOI: 10.1038/oby.2003.142
• Publication Date: 2008-04-18T14:27:20Z
• Authors: Marlene B. Schwartz; Heather O'Neal Ch...; Kelly D. Brownell; Steven N. Blair; Charles Billington
• Keywords: Weight stigma; Health Professionals; Implicit-association test; Stigma; Weight management

Abstract Purpose : To determine the level of anti‐fat bias in health professionals specializing obesity and identify personal characteristics that correlate with both implicit explicit bias. Research Methods Procedures The Implicit Associations Test (IAT) a self‐report questionnaire assessing attitudes, experiences obesity, demographic was administered to clinicians researchers attending opening session an international conference ( N = 389). IAT used assess overall weight (associating “obese people” “thin “good” vs. “bad”) three ranges stereotypes: lazy‐motivated, smart‐stupid, valuable‐worthless. assessed on same dimensions, along professional obesity. Results Health exhibited significant pro‐thin, IAT. In addition, subjects significantly endorsed stereotypes lazy, stupid, worthless using Level associated several characteristics. Characteristics predictive lower levels include being male, older, having positive emotional outlook life, weighing more, friends who are obese, indicating understanding experience Discussion Even whose careers emphasize research or clinical management show very strong bias, pervasive powerful stigma. Understanding extent it will aid developing intervention strategies ameliorate these damaging attitudes.