Are Anti-Stigma Films a Useful Strategy for Reducing Weight Bias Among Trainee Healthcare Professionals? Results of a Pilot Randomized Control Trial

作者：Swift Judy Anne^*; Tischler Victoria; Markham Sophie; Gunning Ingrid; Glazebrook Cris; Beer Charlotte; Puhl Rebecca

来源：Obesity Facts, 2013, 6(1): 91-102.

DOI：10.1159/000348714

• Obesity
• Stigma
• Prejudice
• Behavioural intervention
• Film

Background: Weight bias is an important clinical issue that the educators of tomorrow%26apos;s healthcare professionals cannot afford to ignore. This study, therefore, aimed to pilot a randomized controlled trial of the effects of educational films designed to reduce weight stigmatization toward obese patients on trainee dietitians%26apos; and doctors%26apos; attitudes. Methods: A pre-post experimental design with a 6-week follow-up, which consisted of an intervention group (n = 22) and a control group (n = 21), was conducted to assess the efficacy of brief anti-stigma films in reducing weight bias, and to test whether future, larger-scale studies among trainee healthcare professionals are feasible. Results: Participants at baseline demonstrated weight bias, on both implicit and explicit attitude measures, as well as strong beliefs that obesity is under a person%26apos;s control. The intervention films significantly improved explicit attitudes and beliefs toward obese people, and participant evaluation was very positive. The intervention did not significantly improve implicit anti-fat bias. Conclusion: The current study suggests both that it is possible to conduct a substantive trial of the effects of educational films designed to reduce weight stigma on a larger cohort of trainee healthcare professionals, and that brief educational interventions may be effective in reducing stigmatizing attitudes in this population.

• 出版日期2013-3