Does this Tweet make me look fat? A content analysis of weight stigma on Twitter
Janet A. LydeckerElizabeth W. CotterAllison A. PalmbergCourtney C. SimpsonMelissa KwitowskiKelly WhiteSuzanne E. Mazzeo
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Abstract Weight bias is a widespread form of prejudice that leads to the stigmatization of individuals who are perceived to have excess weight. Several psychological theories have been used to explain weight bias and to understand its negative impact on the mental and physical health of individuals with overweight and obesity. Top‐down approaches are needed to reduce weight stigma and its adverse health consequences at the population‐level. Potential targets for stigma‐reduction policies include weight‐based discrimination in the workplace, bullying and discrimination in educational settings, stigma in health care, and stereotypical media portrayals. These proposed policies have strong support from the public and stakeholders and, with further implementation and evaluation, may serve as promising structural interventions for addressing societal weight stigma.
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Although obesity has been shown to contribute to certain types of health problems, antifat stigma is also a threat to health. Antifat stigma adds both psychological and physiologic stress to people who are considered excessively fat, which some experts argue partially accounts for health disparities
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Individuals affected by obesity are a commonly stigmatized group in the United States, with physicians being amongst those who carry negative views toward these individuals. As patients, individuals with obesity experience stigma in medical settings through substandard clinical interactions and have reported avoiding seeking healthcare due to this stigma. The current review elicits the perceptions of patients with obesity in medical students and the effects of these perceptions on medical students’ abilities to manage patients with obesity. Finally, this review considers the use of a variety of educational interventions for decreasing stigmatization of patients with obesity in medical students.
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The purpose of this review article is to familiarize readers with the common methodologies used to assess weight stigma. This article explores the most frequent ways weight stigma is assessed, offers relevant empirical examples of each methodology, examines the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, and offers recommendations for strengthening research assessment of weight stigma for the future. Furthermore, this article highlights 4 dimensions that are important to consider when assessing weight stigma, regardless of the research methodology used.
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The aims of this article are to (1) present a shared definition of weight stigma related to pregnancy and (2) develop a definition to inform valid and reliable nursing research addressing weight stigma in the obstetric setting. Weight stigma is increasingly prevalent in society, especially among women with prepregnancy overweight or obesity. However, a universally accepted definition of weight stigma related to pregnancy has yet to be identified. We followed Walker and Avant's concept analysis methodology using an iterative approach to ensure a robust and conceptually sound definition of weight stigma related to pregnancy.
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Abstract We examine stigma and how it operates, then develop a novel framework to classify the range of positions that are conceptually possible regarding how stigma ought to be handled from a public health perspective. In the case of weight stigma, the possible positions range from encouraging the intentional use of weight stigma as an obesity prevention and reduction strategy to arguing not only that this is harmful but that weight stigma, independent of obesity, needs to be actively challenged and reduced. Using weight stigma as an illustrative example, we draw on prior theoretical work on stigma mechanisms and intervention strategies to develop a framework for improving the understanding, evaluation, and planning of anti-stigma interventions. This framework has the potential to help public health actors to map out how protest, contact, education, and regulation strategies can be used to reduce direct discrimination, structural discrimination, and internalized stigma (self-stigma).
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Prejudice against overweight and obese persons is pervasive in Western societies. This is reflected in the attitudes and experiences of children from very young ages. This chapter first discusses some broad questions about stigma and bias. It then considers the evidence concerning children’s attitudes and experience and some of the implications for parents of overweight or obese children. The final sections of the chapter discuss the effects of weight bias on individuals, and the ways in which stigma is relevant for interventions and policy. It contends that stigma is damaging to health and well-being and is by no means helpful in reducing the extent of obesity; that it needs to be taken account of as a possible side effect of interventions; and that the reduction of weight bias should represent an important goal in its own right.
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Abstract The pervasiveness and negative impact of weight stigma and discrimination has highlighted the need to intervene across many levels of society. Instances of discrimination impinge on peoples’ human rights and societal values of equality, raising important questions for policymakers and legislators. The ingrained nature of weight stigma and discrimination throughout society means the systemic change that is warranted will not be easy or rapid. Within this article, several actions are suggested to reduce weight stigma and discrimination and in doing so, address this social justice issue. The article represents a long overdue call to end weight stigma and discrimination for the betterment of society.
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Stigma and discrimination toward obese persons are pervasive and pose numerous consequences for their psychological and physical health. Despite decades of science documenting weight stigma, its public health implications are widely ignored. Instead, obese persons are blamed for their weight, with common perceptions that weight stigmatization is justifiable and may motivate individuals to adopt healthier behaviors. We examine evidence to address these assumptions and discuss their public health implications. On the basis of current findings, we propose that weight stigma is not a beneficial public health tool for reducing obesity. Rather, stigmatization of obese individuals threatens health, generates health disparities, and interferes with effective obesity intervention efforts. These findings highlight weight stigma as both a social justice issue and a priority for public health.
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