Alicia Niemann, Lara J LaCaille, Rebecca L Emery Tavernier
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the presence of implicit and explicit weight bias among a sample of medical students.
Methods: Using a between-subjects experimental design, medical students (N = 100; AgeM = 25.83 ± 2.76), were randomly assigned to read a vignette about a pregnant patient with a lower body mass index (BMI; 23 kg/m2) or a higher BMI (33 kg/m2). Participants then completed questionnaires related to perceptions and liking of the patient, and explicit attitudes about people who have larger bodies (i.e., BMIs ≥ 30 kg/m2).
Results: There were no significant differences between vignettes, suggesting that implicit bias against pregnant patients with higher versus lower BMIs was not identified. However, weight stigmatizing attitudes were associated with medical student BMI, such that medical students with higher BMIs expressed more positive attitudes for patients with BMIs ≥ 30 kg/m2 than medical students with lower BMIs.
Conclusions: These findings indicate that implicit weight bias towards pregnant patients in medical students is low, particularly among medical students with higher weight, which may represent a shift in societal attitudes towards patients with larger bodies.
期刊介绍:
The aim of Obesity Research & Clinical Practice (ORCP) is to publish high quality clinical and basic research relating to the epidemiology, mechanism, complications and treatment of obesity and the complication of obesity. Studies relating to the Asia Oceania region are particularly welcome, given the increasing burden of obesity in Asia Pacific, compounded by specific regional population-based and genetic issues, and the devastating personal and economic consequences. The journal aims to expose health care practitioners, clinical researchers, basic scientists, epidemiologists, and public health officials in the region to all areas of obesity research and practice. In addition to original research the ORCP publishes reviews, patient reports, short communications, and letters to the editor (including comments on published papers). The proceedings and abstracts of the Annual Meeting of the Asia Oceania Association for the Study of Obesity is published as a supplement each year.