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Elboim Gabyzon M1, Atar K1, Peleg S2
1University of Haifa, Physical Therapy, Haifa, Israel, 2Zefat Academic College, Department of Physical Therapy, Zefat, Israel
Background: Weight stigmatization is often reflected in anti-fat attitudes and stereotypical perceptions of overweight people, such as laziness or lack of self-discipline.
Previous studies demonstrated explicit evidence of weight stigmatization among physiotherapists.
Physical therapy students are exposed to the same cultural messages as the rest of society, but as these students are often drawn to the profession because of an interest in athleticism, health, and physical function, their negative view of obesity stereotypes toward overweight person may be further enhanced. However, no previous study explored weight stigmatization among physical therapy students.
Purpose: To identify, characterize and compare stigmatizing attitudes and beliefs toward obese people among physical therapy students compared to practicing physical therapists.
Methods: Cross-sectional, anonymous, computerized, self-report survey of undergraduate physiotherapy students and qualified practicing physical therapists in Israel. The study sample included 115 physical therapy students, at an average age of 26.4±4.9 years and 285 qualified practicing physical therapists, at an average age of 39.6±10.1 years and. Attitudes and beliefs of the participants were assessed with the Hebrew versions of three common questionnaires: Fat Phobia Scale (short form) (FPS), Anti-fat Attitudes Questionnaire (AFA), and Beliefs about Obese People (BAOP).
Results: Physical therapy students and practicing physical therapists demonstrated average levels of fat phobia (FBS score 3.6/5, SD 0.4 and 0.5, respectively). Total AFA scores of practicing therapists and students were 3.3/9 (SD 1.2) and 3/9 (SD 1.2), respectively. BAOP scores differed significantly between groups: students scored 18.0/48 (SD 5.7) compared to 16.4/48 (SD 5.6) for practicing therapists (p=0.009).
AFA score was significantly different in term of gender between the two groups.
Conclusion(s): Similar to the believes of qualified practicing physical therapists, physical therapy students demonstrated average levels of weight stigmatization. Stigmatization with the females presenting significantly greater fear of weight gain compared to males. Students believed more that obesity is not under the obese person's control as compared to the degree of belief of qualified practicing physical therapists.
Implications: Students' negative attitudes and stereotypical perceptions of overweight people are comparable to those of practicing physical therapists and can affect their clinical judgment and behavior as future health professionals. Anti-fat attitudes and stereotypical perceptions should be addressed and remediated early with educational interventions during professional studies.
Keywords: Weight stigma, student, education
Funding acknowledgements: The study was not supported by a research grant or any other funding
Previous studies demonstrated explicit evidence of weight stigmatization among physiotherapists.
Physical therapy students are exposed to the same cultural messages as the rest of society, but as these students are often drawn to the profession because of an interest in athleticism, health, and physical function, their negative view of obesity stereotypes toward overweight person may be further enhanced. However, no previous study explored weight stigmatization among physical therapy students.
Purpose: To identify, characterize and compare stigmatizing attitudes and beliefs toward obese people among physical therapy students compared to practicing physical therapists.
Methods: Cross-sectional, anonymous, computerized, self-report survey of undergraduate physiotherapy students and qualified practicing physical therapists in Israel. The study sample included 115 physical therapy students, at an average age of 26.4±4.9 years and 285 qualified practicing physical therapists, at an average age of 39.6±10.1 years and. Attitudes and beliefs of the participants were assessed with the Hebrew versions of three common questionnaires: Fat Phobia Scale (short form) (FPS), Anti-fat Attitudes Questionnaire (AFA), and Beliefs about Obese People (BAOP).
Results: Physical therapy students and practicing physical therapists demonstrated average levels of fat phobia (FBS score 3.6/5, SD 0.4 and 0.5, respectively). Total AFA scores of practicing therapists and students were 3.3/9 (SD 1.2) and 3/9 (SD 1.2), respectively. BAOP scores differed significantly between groups: students scored 18.0/48 (SD 5.7) compared to 16.4/48 (SD 5.6) for practicing therapists (p=0.009).
AFA score was significantly different in term of gender between the two groups.
Conclusion(s): Similar to the believes of qualified practicing physical therapists, physical therapy students demonstrated average levels of weight stigmatization. Stigmatization with the females presenting significantly greater fear of weight gain compared to males. Students believed more that obesity is not under the obese person's control as compared to the degree of belief of qualified practicing physical therapists.
Implications: Students' negative attitudes and stereotypical perceptions of overweight people are comparable to those of practicing physical therapists and can affect their clinical judgment and behavior as future health professionals. Anti-fat attitudes and stereotypical perceptions should be addressed and remediated early with educational interventions during professional studies.
Keywords: Weight stigma, student, education
Funding acknowledgements: The study was not supported by a research grant or any other funding
Topic: Professional issues; Education; Education: continuing professional development
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Haifa University and Zefat Academic College.
Ethics committee: Ethics committee
Ethics number: Number 703
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
