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Preliminary evaluation of a brief worksite intervention to reduce weight stigma and weight bias internalization

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  • Kelly, Nichole R.
  • Osa, Maggie L.
  • Luther, Gabriella
  • Guidinger, Claire
  • Folger, Austin
  • Williamson, Gina
  • Esquivel, Juliana
  • Budd, Elizabeth L.

Abstract

Weight-based discrimination (WBD) is common and associated with reduced physical and emotional functioning. WBD is common in the workplace, yet no studies have evaluated a WBD intervention delivered in a worksite setting. This study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a 3-hour, remote-delivered WBD intervention at a large public university. Six workshops including 94 participants (41.76 ± 9.37 y; 92.8% women) were delivered December 2020 through May 2021; 88.3% of participants enrolled in the study and 88.8% of enrolled participants completed pre- and post-intervention surveys. Participants strongly agreed the workshop contributed to a more inclusive work environment (M=4.98 ± 0.2; 1 =Strongly Disagree to 5 =Strongly Agree); and was highly needed (4.9 ± 0.3) and liked (4.8 ± 0.5). Qualitative feedback cited benefits of remote delivery in providing body size anonymity and wanting access to intervention materials and more time for discussion and action steps to reduce WBD. Participants experienced significant, medium reductions in explicit weight bias (ps < .001), significant, small reductions in weight bias internalization (p < .001), and statistically non-significant (p = .08), small-to-medium reductions in implicit bias. Targeting worksites as a delivery mechanism has the potential to reduce WBD, thereby improving the health and well-being of diverse employees and creating a more inclusive workspace.

Suggested Citation

  • Kelly, Nichole R. & Osa, Maggie L. & Luther, Gabriella & Guidinger, Claire & Folger, Austin & Williamson, Gina & Esquivel, Juliana & Budd, Elizabeth L., 2024. "Preliminary evaluation of a brief worksite intervention to reduce weight stigma and weight bias internalization," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:epplan:v:104:y:2024:i:c:s0149718924000363
    DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2024.102434
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Apostolos Davillas & Michaela Benzeval & Meena Kumari, 2016. "Association of Adiposity and Mental Health Functioning across the Lifespan: Findings from Understanding Society (The UK Household Longitudinal Study)," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(2), pages 1-19, February.
    2. Emily Panza & KayLoni Olson & Carly M. Goldstein & Edward A. Selby & Jason Lillis, 2020. "Characterizing Lifetime and Daily Experiences of Weight Stigma among Sexual Minority Women with Overweight and Obesity: A Descriptive Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-15, July.
    3. Westbury, Susannah & Oyebode, Oyinlola & VanRens. Thijs & Barber, Thomas M, 2023. "Obesity Stigma : Causes, Consequences, and Potential Solutions," The Warwick Economics Research Paper Series (TWERPS) 1452, University of Warwick, Department of Economics.
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    5. Paul E. Greenberg & Andree-Anne Fournier & Tammy Sisitsky & Mark Simes & Richard Berman & Sarah H. Koenigsberg & Ronald C. Kessler, 2021. "The Economic Burden of Adults with Major Depressive Disorder in the United States (2010 and 2018)," PharmacoEconomics, Springer, vol. 39(6), pages 653-665, June.
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    1. Apostolos Davillas & Michaela Benzeval & Meena Kumari, 2016. "Association of Adiposity and Mental Health Functioning across the Lifespan: Findings from Understanding Society (The UK Household Longitudinal Study)," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(2), pages 1-19, February.

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