1
Q
What is weight stigma?
A
- Labelling, stereotyping, separation, and discrimination co-occurring in a context in which differences in power exist between dominant and marginalized groups
- Larger bodies = marginalized
- We associate negative stereotypes to negative attributes = Othering and discrimination
- Negative weight related attitudes commonly held = mistreatment of individuals in larger bodies*
2
Q
What are the 5 multidimensional constructs of weight bias?
A
- Direct Forms
- Internalized Forms
- Structural forms
- Leads to negative health outcomes
- Leads to health inequity
3
Q
Direct forms
A
-Interpersonal negative treatment, attitudes, comments about someone based on their body size
4
Q
Internalized forms
A
- Belief about negative stereotypes and applying them to oneself
- Devaluing yourself because of fit and buying into the attitudes
5
Q
Structural forms
A
- Weight bias exists in social structures and are ingrained in aspects of our institutions
- Education, healthcare, subtle ways (equipment sizes, weight limits)
6
Q
Leads to negative health outcomes and health inequity
A
- MYTH: If we shame and blame people in larger bodies = will motivate them to engage in healthier behaviours
- We want to promote health in a way that doesn’t stigmatize others in different body sizes
7
Q
Direct influences on health
A
- Increase in blood pressure (physiological response)
- Increase in cortisol (physiological response)
- Decrease self-esteem (emotional response)
- Increase anxiety (emotional response)
- Increase depression (emotional response)
8
Q
Indirect influences on health via behaviour
A
- Increase binge eating
- Increase food consumption
- Decrease PA
- Decrease accessing health care (they feel they will be stigmatized in these paces too)
- Promotes/exacerbates obesity and other health issues
9
Q
How is the cycle of weight bias perpetuated?
A
-Body size increases = weight stigma increases = perpetuated cycle
10
Q
Weight-centric beliefs and practices in PA contexts
A
- Stereotypes
- Negative portrayals
- Weight bias
11
Q
What are the stereotypes in weight bias?
A
- Thin = physically fit
- Larger body exercising = doing it for weight loss
- PA is promoted to lose weight
12
Q
What are the negative portrayals of larger body sizes?
A
- Common forms of media
- Gym advertisements
- Sports teams
- Not portrayed at all
- Portrayed negatively (lazy)
- Before and after pictures (“Don’t be the before”)
13
Q
What are the perspectives of women experiencing weight stigma?
A
- Ridiculed, humiliated, patronized
- Internalizing weight bias
- Avoid PA
14
Q
Why do people avoid PA if experiencing weight bias?
A
- Exercise at home where no one sees them
- Exercise in smaller groups or at less busy times
- Stay at the back of a fitness class
- More concerned/self conscious about being seen being active as this increases the risk of weight bias being experiences
- Want to engage but needs to negotiate how and what that looks like to them
15
Q
How to reduce weight stigma?
A
- Be compassionate and don’t promote health in a way that stigmatizes or blames others in different body sizes
- Advocate for weight neutral approaches to PA promotion
- Focus on other PA benefits not related to weight (mental health, sleep, social connection, CV fitness, etc)
- Talk about it! (size acceptance)
- Actively try to dismantle or decrease weight bias beliefs
- Celebrate different and ALL body sizes
16
Q
Video impressions
A
- We tend to avoid “fat”
- Weight stigma = negative affect = less self-efficacy to execute goals
- Spread information and change attitudes = make cycling more inclusive
- Embrace bodies = more comfort in participating, healthier eating habits and increased self-image
- Professionals make negative comments, therefore we need to understand the whole being
- Increase the awareness of the “void in the cycling” community
17
Q
Negative impacts of weight stigma
A
- Reluctance to be PA
- Disordered eating
- Hard to start or begin PA; set-up for failure
- Hyperfocus to be smaller
- “Fat” was part of your identity that needs to be explained; we immediately notice body size and it becomes a way we describe ourselves and judge others
- Uncomfortable asking for help
18
Q
How can PA and cycling be more inclusive?
A
- Message highlighting there is no “right” way to move
- Less connection to weight loss
- train professionals to be weight neutral so they do not perpetuate weight bias in their suggestions
- Social support/ Supportive groups for all skill levels
- Redefine activity goal (experience over skill)
- Better more inclusive and broad range equipment designs
- Provide lots of activity options
- Less thought about looks, more on how activity makes you feel!
