This study was an attempt to determine if subjects differing in anxiety, motivation and stress evidence differential weight discrimination performance. The judged difference in weight discrimination will be affected by a preceding series of discriminations.

Obesity is a steadily growing problem, and has both physiological and psychological consequences during pregnancy. Obese women may face discrimination which could shape their perceptions of maternity care. To date, few studies have studied the influence of body weight on patient satisfaction with care. The objectives of this study were: (1) to compare childbirth experiences and satisfaction with intrapartum care of normal weight (BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2) and obese (BMI greater than or equal to 30.0 kg/m2) women and (2) to determine factors associated with satisfaction with intrapartum care. Guided by Barker’s (1997) pragmatic model of patient satisfaction, a descriptive comparative and correlational design was used to examine the relationship between childbirth experiences, weight discrimination, and satisfaction with intrapartum care among normal weight and obese women. Postpartum primiparous women (N = 138) in two Winnipeg hospitals completed a questionnaire package and had their chart reviewed (70 normal weight, 68 obese weight). Results: Using independent t-test, no significant differences in satisfaction with intrapartum care or childbirth experiences were found in the two weight groups. In the linear multiple regression model, perceived weight discrimination during labour and delivery was negatively associated (β = -5.78, p = 0.032), while professional support (β = 13.11, p < .001) and perceived control and safety (β = 3.25, p = 0.032) were positively associated with satisfaction with intrapartum care. Understanding factors that influence satisfaction with intrapartum care will assist healthcare providers and administrators to improve satisfaction in all women regardless of their weight. / May 2016

More than two-thirds of Americans are obese or overweight. Obesity rates have risen to an epidemic level, contributing to health inequalities and leading to reduced health-related quality of life. When obese and overweight persons face weight bias by health care providers, fragmented care may occur. Ensuring positive relationships with healthcare providers is important in helping those who are obese or overweight. The purpose of this project was to understand the factors that contribute to negative weight bias in the provider-patient relationship and to identify the most effective interventions that would reduce stigmatizing attitudes and support self-awareness, acceptance, and resolution for both patient and provider. The theoretical foundations of cultural humility and self-appraisal in interpersonal relations were applied to inform this project. The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews framed this systematic literature review. Additionally, Melnyk's levels of evidence was used to evaluate each article. Articles for inclusion were limited to those published no earlier than 2013, full text available, English language, and peer-reviewed. The search identified 102 articles, of which 26 were selected for the final review. Five articles met the criteria for Level VII (opinions of experts), 18 were Level VI (qualitative studies), 1 was a Level V (qualitative review), and 2 were Level 1 (systematic review). The analysis of evidence clarified the issues related to weight bias and supported recommendations for nursing practice improvement in upholding the dignity of all persons with regard to weight. Nurses can pioneer positive social change by becoming role models who advocate for equality in healthcare delivery for persons who are obese or overweight.

Many researchers have explored the way younger people perceive weight ratios using a variety of methodologies; however, very few researchers have used a more direct ratio estimation procedure, in which participants estimate an actual ratio between two or more weights. Of the few researchers who have used a direct method, the participants who were recruited were invariably younger adults. To date, there has been no research performed to examine how older adults perceive weight-ratios, using direct estimation or any other technique. Past research has provided evidence that older adults have more difficulty than younger adults in perceiving small differences in weight (i.e., the difference threshold for older adults is higher than that of younger adults). Given this result, one might expect that older adults would demonstrate similar impairments in weight ratio estimation compared to younger adults. The current experiment compared the abilities of 17 younger and 17 older adults to estimate weight ratios, using a direct ratio estimation procedure. On any given trial, participants were presented with two weights, and were asked to provide a direct estimate of the ratio, with the heavier in relation to the lighter. The results showed that the participants’ perceived weight ratios increased as a linear function of the actual weight ratios and that compared to younger adults, the older adults overestimated the weight ratios. The age-related overestimation was especially pronounced at higher weight ratios.

Background: Individuals with obesity face weight-related discrimination in many life domains, including workplace bullying, especially in female employees with obesity. However, associations between experiences of workplace bullying and psychological health impairments considering weight status and sex remain unclear. Methods: Within a representative population-based sample of N = 1290 employees, self-reported experiences of workplace bullying were examined for variations by weight status and sex. Using path analyses, sex-specific mediation effects of workplace bullying on associations between weight status and work-related psychological health impairments (burnout symptoms, quality of life) were tested. Results: Employees with obesity experienced more workplace bullying than those with normal weight. Workplace bullying was positively associated with psychological health impairments and partially mediated the associations between higher weight status and elevated burnout symptoms and lower quality of life in women, but not in men. Conclusions: The result that more experiences of workplace bullying were, compared with weight status, more strongly associated with work-related psychological health impairments in women, but not in men, uniquely extends evidence on sex-specific effects within weight-related discrimination. Continued efforts by researchers, employers, and policy makers are needed to reduce weight-related discrimination in work settings, eventually increasing employees’ health and job productivity.

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