TitleOvercoming weight bias: promoting physical activity and psychosocial health
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2014
AuthorsWatkins, PLou, Ebbeck, V, Levy, SS
Secondary AuthorsTaylor, VH
JournalEthnicity and Inequalities in Health and Social Care
Volume7
Issue4
Pagination187 - 197
Date Published09/2014
ISSN1757-0980
Abstract

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate Feel WonderFull Fitness (FWF), a program adhering to the Health At Every SizeTM (HAES) paradigm, on larger women's physical activity and psychosocial health. FWF was tailored to overcome barriers based on weight bias.

Design/methodology/approach
– The study compared “overweight” and “obese” women in FWF to those not currently enrolled in formal exercise programs. Controls were divided into low physical activity (LPA) and moderate physical activity (MPA) conditions based on pretest exercise level. Outcome measures were collected at pretest and three months later at posttest.

Findings
– FWF participants had the greatest gains in physical activity and demonstrated significantly greater improvements in depression than the LPA group. FWF and the MPA group showed more improved scores on perceived body attractiveness than the LPA group. Scores on an eating disorders measure improved for all groups, but somewhat more so for the FWF group. Improvements occurred in the absence of weight loss or decreases in body mass index and body fat percentage.
DOI10.1108/EIHSC-11-2013-0043
Short TitleEthnicity and Inequalities HSC