Exam 3: Weight Bias

Question 1

Weight Bias

• Negative attitudes and beliefs about ____ ______.
• Bias is expressed as:
• Stereotypes
• Stigma
• Rejection
• Prejudice
• Discrimination
• Forms: verbal, physical, and relational
• Subtle and overt expressions.

Answer 1

body weight

Question 2

Cultural Attitudes

• ____, ____ body
• Self-discipline, achievement.
• ___, _____ body
• Undisciplined, ultimate failure publicly displayed for all to see and judge.
• Discrimination
• Overweight/obese among the last socially acceptable targets for bias and discrimination.

Answer 2

Lean, thin

Fat, chubby

Question 3

Weight Control Beliefs

• Predominate View: body weight is ‘________’.
• Overweight/Obesity is a function of:
• Lack of willpower -Lack motivation
• Lazy -Doesn’t care
• Unintelligent -Dishonest
• Ideology of Blame:
• Obese deserve the psychological, social, and physical consequences of their condition.
• Most importantly, the current approach is not helping! –new strategies are needed!

Answer 3

malleable

Question 4

Weight Discrimination

• Statistics on Prevalence of Discrimination
• Race: 11%
• Age: 14%
• Weight: 12%
• Sources of Weight Discrimination
• Home
• Work
• School
• Health-related
• Sources within health-related domains.
• Physicians, nurses, therapists, physical educators, fitness specialists, etc.

Answer 4

Yup.

Question 5

Consequences of Weight Bias?

• Poor ____-______, depression.
• Avoidance of medical care.
• Overeating/binge eating.
• Physical ________.

Answer 5

self-esteem

inactivity

Question 6

What Can Be Done? To Reduce Weight-Related Bias and Stigma

• Increase _________.
• Examine personal attitudes (see Q’s p.9).
• For general public and health-related professions.
• Consider __________ style.
• Recognize the importance of _____ and images.
• Words should encourage/motivate, not blame.
• -Significantly overweight vs. morbidly obese.
• -Unhealthy weight vs. fat.

Answer 6

awareness

communication

words

Question 7

What Can Be Done? To Reduce Weight-Related Bias and Stigma

• Create supportive fitness ________.
• Are staff trained for weight-related sensitivity?
• Are facilities and equipment ‘______ friendly’?
• -Weight capacity, space to move around, wider seats/benches.
• Reduce bias through _______.
• Provide training for testing and interpersonal communication.
• Engage opportunities to discuss and work with overweight clients.

Answer 7

facilities

weight

education

Question 8

What Can Be Done? To Reduce Weight-Related Bias and Stigma

• Develop _________ and _______.
• Taking the perspective of the client can improve sensitivity.
• Rethink our ‘_______.’
• Stigma undermines public health efforts.
• Current models focus almost exclusively on individual responsibility. Effective?

Answer 8

understanding and empathy

approach

Question 9

What Can Be Done? To Reduce Weight-Related Bias and Stigma

• Use existing programs/campaigns.
• Promotes ________ of human body diversity.
• Programs/campaigns: ‘Active at Any Size.’
• Be an _______.
• Lead the way!
• Stand ready to help promote health for overweight individuals.

Answer 9

acceptance

advocate