Title |
Weight bias: a call to action
|
---|---|
Published in |
Journal of Eating Disorders, November 2016
|
DOI | 10.1186/s40337-016-0112-4 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Angela S. Alberga, Shelly Russell-Mayhew, Kristin M. von Ranson, Lindsay McLaren |
Abstract |
Weight-related issues (including excess weight, disordered eating and body concerns) are often considered as comprising distinct domains of 'obesity' and 'eating disorders'. In this commentary we argue that the concept of weight bias is an important variable when considering wellbeing across the spectrum of weight-related issues. We make the following six points in support of this argument: i) weight bias is common and has adverse health consequences, ii) shaming individuals for their body weight does not motivate positive behaviour change, iii) internalized weight bias is particularly problematic, iv) public health interventions, if not carefully thought out, can perpetuate weight bias, v) weight bias is a manifestation of social inequity, and vi) action on weight bias requires an upstream, population-level approach. To achieve sustainable reductions in weight bias at a population level, substantive modifications and collaborative efforts in multiple settings must be initiated. We provide several examples of population-level interventions to reduce weight bias. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 25 | 34% |
United Kingdom | 8 | 11% |
Australia | 6 | 8% |
Canada | 6 | 8% |
Portugal | 1 | 1% |
Nigeria | 1 | 1% |
Denmark | 1 | 1% |
Netherlands | 1 | 1% |
Ireland | 1 | 1% |
Other | 2 | 3% |
Unknown | 22 | 30% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 32 | 43% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 23 | 31% |
Scientists | 18 | 24% |
Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 1 | 1% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Canada | 1 | <1% |
Unknown | 193 | 99% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Master | 39 | 20% |
Student > Bachelor | 27 | 14% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 23 | 12% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 15 | 8% |
Researcher | 14 | 7% |
Other | 27 | 14% |
Unknown | 49 | 25% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Psychology | 33 | 17% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 31 | 16% |
Social Sciences | 18 | 9% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 17 | 9% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 9 | 5% |
Other | 25 | 13% |
Unknown | 61 | 31% |