Journal of American College Health · 2022 · 16 citations · 28 references
<b>Objective</b>: This cross-sectional study examined the weight bias attitudes and obesity beliefs of health science (HS), nursing, and pre-medicine undergraduate students. <b>Methods</b>: Using snowballing and convenience sampling strategies, students (N = 139) completed an online survey, including a 24-item Antifat Attitudes Scale (AFAS) and eight-item Belief About Obese Persons (BAOP) scale. <b>Results:</b> HS students have higher weight bias than nursing and pre-medicine students combined (<i>M</i> = 43.45, <i>SD</i> = 10.75), <i>t</i>(137) = -2.45, <i>p</i> = .016). A negative correlation exists between AFAS and BAOP suggesting high weight bias influences a belief that obesity is controllable. Gender positively predicted weight bias attitudes (<i>ß =</i> -11.43, <i>t =</i> -4.33<i>, p</i> < .001) and obesity beliefs (<i>ß =</i> 3.75, <i>t =</i> 3.01<i>, p</i> = . 003). <b>Conclusions</b>: Findings confirm that HS students have weight bias attitudes. This supports undergraduate curricular changes on obesity etiology that may improve treatment plans of individuals who are obese.
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