Survey Discovers Nurses’ Bias of the Overweight

Nurse practitioners responding to a survey admitted a critical and biased attitude when dealing with overweight and obese patients.

Researchers at the University of Missouri (Kansas City, USA) interviewed 358 nurse practitioners at the 2012 American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) national conference. The 19-item, study-specific survey used a 6-point scale to grade responses, ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree; no neutral response was provided. Overall, 94% of respondents were women; 1% were underweight; 51% were normal weight; 38% were overweight; and 10% were obese. Another 22 people failed to disclose their personal weight. About 77% of the respondents were Caucasian, 9% were African American, 5% were Asian, and 5% were Hispanic.

The results revealed that 50% of those surveyed agreed with statements that overweight people are not as good as others; that overweight people are not as successful as others, and that overweight people are not as healthy as others. Other beliefs held were that most people do not wish to marry an overweight person, that overweight people have family issues, and that overweight is the result of overeating and that overweight people are addicted to food. The study as presented at the AANP national conference, held during June 2014 in Nashville (TN, USA).

“Reflection on personnel and workplace environments that foster weight biases can be altered to better meet the health needs of the overweight/obese person,” said study presenter and coauthor Peggy Ward-Smith, PhD, RN, an associate professor of nursing at the University of Missouri. “Increasing sensitivity and empathetic support can be a critical aspect in improving the care of these people who struggle to manage their weight.”

Studies have shown that obese women report experiencing stigma in the healthcare setting, as well as from their healthcare provider. In fact, other research has indicated that about one in five overweight patients who experience weight stigma avoid future medical appointments and would seek to find a new provider.

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