Weight bias reduction among first ‐year medical students: A quasi‐randomized, controlled trial

This study aimed to decrease weight bias in medical students via a one-session, curriculum-based intervention founded on the elaboration likelihood model (ELM). First-year medical students (N = 101) were quasi-randomly assigned to a group-based experimental or education-based control intervention. Data collected included measures of implicit and explicit weight bias and empathy (pre-intervention and up to 2 days post-intervention), and thoughts regarding weight bias (collected at th e end of the intervention). Social desirability was identified as an important covariate. After controlling for social desirability, the intervention group showed no greater reduction in multi-item explicit bias rating scales or a computerized implicit bias task than the control group. Both groups s howed less discomfort when near individuals with obesity (p <  0.01). The intervention group wrote a greater number of statements about weight bias and obesity (p <  0.05) and a greater number of statements about the harms of weight bias (p <  0.001) than the control group on a thought-listing task. Results highlight use of the ELM and the importance of controlling for social desirability in weight bias interventions. A thought-listing task captured unique intervention effects, highlighting potential gaps in the assessment of weight bi as.
Source: Clinical Obesity - Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Authors: Tags: Original Research Article Source Type: research