scholarly journals Weight stigma experiences and self-exclusion from sport and exercise settings among people with obesity

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hendrik K. Thedinga ◽  
Roman Zehl ◽  
Ansgar Thiel
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Weight Stigma ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Adult Men ◽  
Related Stigma ◽  
Sport And Exercise ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Constant Comparative Analysis ◽  
Stigma Experiences

Abstract Background A central strategy to tackle the health risks of obesity is regular physical activity (PA), exercising and participating in sports. However, people with obesity regularly experience weight-related stigma and discrimination in sport and exercise settings. Research has indicated that they often cope with such experiences by simply excluding themselves from sport and exercise. Meanwhile, self-exclusion as a coping strategy has not been fully understood and it remains unclear to what extent self-exclusion from PA settings is accompanied by general inactivity among people with obesity. The goal of this interview study was to determine to what extent physical inactivity among adults with obesity is the result of weight stigma-induced self-exclusion in and from sport and PA settings. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with thirty adult men and women with obesity (average BMI: 40.64) and asked them about experiences with their body, weight stigma and coping behaviours in sport and exercise settings across their lifespans. Employing constant comparative analysis and a thematic network approach, we analysed the interview data to identify the most common reasons for and different strategies of self-exclusion. Results Participants reported that they excluded themselves from sport and exercise settings due to traumatic weight stigma experiences, self-discrimination and fear of stigma, using a variety of strategies. Exposure to discrimination was prevented by selectively avoiding certain settings or strategically frequenting them at certain times only, but also by exercising in ‘safe’ spaces, e.g. at home. Furthermore, people with obesity reported strategically managing their social relations in order to avoid stigmatising reactions by others in exercise settings, for example by exercising individually and avoiding social PA. Most notably, our results strongly indicate that not all self-excluding coping strategies result in less exercising. Conclusions In order to successfully promote physical activity among people with obesity, the various forms of self-exclusion should be taken into account as pathways of stigma regarding physical activity. People with obesity may exclude themselves from certain PA settings, yet could still be exercising on their own or in other ways. One focus of public health strategies should thus be directed at the potentially socially isolating effects.

Body Weight Stigma in Physical Activity Settings

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew C. Pickett ◽  
George B. Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Stigma ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Activity Settings ◽  
Activity Spaces ◽  
Strong Barrier ◽  
Body Ideals

Given societal body ideals praising thinness and muscularity, physical activity spaces can bedifficult to navigate for those in larger bodies. Thus, stigma serves as a strong barrier to participation. Inthis study, the authors explore ways that body stigma affects larger individuals’ participation in physicalactivity. This authors employed qualitative, semi-structured interviews (N = 9), regarding personal experi-ences of body weight stigma. Results suggest that body stigma is common and that various discriminatoryexperiences led participants away from participating. Given the prevalence of prejudicial behaviors, whichexclude larger individuals, the authors argue for more inclusive physical activity spaces and practices.

scholarly journals The Active Hospital pilot: A qualitative study exploring the implementation of a Trust-wide Sport and Exercise Medicine-led physical activity intervention

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0257802
Author(s):  
Anna Myers ◽  
Helen Quirk ◽  
Anna Lowe ◽  
Helen Crank ◽  
David Broom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Clinical Pathways ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Limited Resource ◽  
Political Climate ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Effect Change ◽  
Exercise Medicine ◽  
Sport And Exercise

Background In 2017 Public Health England and Sport England commissioned a Consultant-led Sport and Exercise Medicine (SEM) pilot to test the feasibility and acceptability of embedding physical activity interventions in secondary care clinical pathways. The aim of this paper is to report qualitative findings exploring the experience of healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients involved in the Active Hospital pilot. Methods Qualitative data was collected by semi-structured interviews with Active Hospital pilot SEM Consultants, and staff and patients involved in three clinical pathways. Interviews with SEM Consultants explored the experience of developing and implementing the pilot. Interviews with staff and patients explored the experience of delivering and receiving Active Hospital interventions. Data were analysed thematically. Results Interviews identified the importance of the Active Hospital pilot being Consultant-led for the following reasons; i) having trusting relationships with decision makers, ii) having sufficient influence to effect change, iii) identifying champions within the system, and iv) being adaptable to change and ensuring the programme fits within the wider strategic frameworks. HCPs emphasised the importance of the Active Hospital interventions fitting easily within existing work practices, the need for staff training and to tailor interventions for individual patient needs. The Active Hospital pilot was well received by patients, however a lack of dedicated resource and capacity to deliver the intervention was highlighted as a challenge by both patients and HCPs. Conclusion The SEM Consultants’ ability to navigate the political climate of a large National Health Service (NHS) Trust with competing agendas and limited resource was valuable. The interventions were well received and a valued addition to usual clinical care. However, implementation and ongoing delivery of the pilot encountered challenges including lack of capacity within the system and delays with recruiting to the delivery teams in each pathway.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Weight Stigma, Physical Appearance Concerns, and Enjoyment and Tendency to Avoid Physical Activity and Sport

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (19) ◽  
pp. 9957
Author(s):  
Nadia Bevan ◽  
Kerry S. O’Brien ◽  
Chung-Ying Lin ◽  
Janet D. Latner ◽  
Brian Vandenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Physical Appearance ◽  
Weight Bias ◽  
Weight Stigma ◽  
Poor Understanding ◽  
Related Stigma ◽  
Weight Bias Internalization ◽  
The Relationship

Participation in physical activity and sport is on the decline and there is a poor understanding of the psychosocial factors that contribute to people’s reluctance to participate. We examined whether there were relationships between factors such as weight stigma, weight bias internalization, appearance evaluation, and fears of negative appearance evaluations, and enjoyment and avoidance of physical activity and sport. Undergraduate students (N = 579) completed a survey assessing demographics, and the variables described above. In hierarchal multivariate regression models, weight stigma (β = −0.16, p < 0.001), appearance evaluation (β = 0.19, p = 0.001), and weight bias internalization (β = −0.19, p = 0.003) were associated with lower enjoyment of physical activity and sport. Weight stigma (β = 0.46, p = 0.001), weight bias internalization (β = 0.42, p = 0.001), and fear of negative appearance evaluations (β = 0.16, p = 0.000) were also significantly associated with the tendency to avoid physical activity and sport. Serial mediation analysis showed the relationship between weight stigma and enjoyment of physical activity and sport was through appearance evaluation and weight bias internalization (indirect effect = −0.007, SE = 0.002, 95% CI = −0.01, −0.02). Similarly, the relationship between weight stigma and avoidance of physical activity and sport was through weight bias internalization and fear of negative appearance evaluations (indirect effect = 0.11, SE = 0.03, 95% CI = 0.05, 0.16). These results suggest that weight stigma and concerns about one’s physical appearance influence people’s enjoyment and reasoning for avoiding physical activity and sport. Research is needed to identify ways to reduce body-related stigma and increase enjoyment and participation in physical activity and sport.

“Negative Things That Kids Should Never Have to Hear”: Exploring Women’s Histories of Weight Stigma in Physical Activity

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Garcia Ashdown-Franks ◽  
Angela Meadows ◽  
Eva Pila
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Inequities ◽  
Weight Stigma ◽  
The Body ◽  
Sport Organizations ◽  
Negative Experiences ◽  
Fitness Centers ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Stigma Experiences

Scholars have proposed that cumulative experiences of anti-fat bias and stigma contribute to detrimental physical activity experiences, as well as social and health inequities. The objective of this research was to explore how enacted weight stigma experiences are constructed and impact women’s physical activity experiences long term. Eighteen women who identified as having had negative experiences related to their body weight, shape, or size in physical activity contexts participated in semistructured interviews. Using reflexive thematic analysis, four themes were identified: (a) norms of body belonging, (b) distancing from an active identity, (c) at war with the body, and (d) acts of resistance. These findings deepen understandings of how historical experiences of weight stigma can have longstanding consequences on physical activity cognitions, emotions, and behaviors. To equitably promote physical activity, it is imperative that movement spaces (e.g., fitness centers, sport organizations) both target anti-fat stigma and adopt weight-inclusive principles.

scholarly journals Previous life experiences and social relations affecting individuals wish for support when establishing healthy habits – a qualitative study of Norwegian Healthy Life Centre participants

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thea Ingebjørg Gjertsen ◽  
Anne-S. Helvik ◽  
Ingrid S. Følling
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Health Personnel ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Dietary Advice ◽  
Life Situation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Healthy Life ◽  
Healthy Habits

Abstract Background Interventions to reduce and prevent overweight, obesity and T2D has been advocated worldwide. In Norway, Healthy Life Centres have been established to help individuals to reduce and prevent diseases, offering physical activity and dietary advice to establish healthy habits. Previous life experiences, social support and help from health personnel could play a role in the process of establishing healthy habits. The aim of this study was to explore how two groups of Healthy Life Centre participants described their previous life experiences, social relations and wish for support from Healthy Life Centre personnel. Methods A qualitative design was used, including 49 individual semi-structured interviews. The interviews for this study were performed in two different samples, one sample of participants applying for HLC participation in 2013 (n = 23) and one sample of participants invited to HLC participation in 2015 (n = 26). The data was analyzed using systematic text condensation. Results Three main themes in a chronological (past, present and future) order were identified: 1. Previous life experiences stamping life situation (past time). 2. Social relations being a support or a burden in everyday life (present time) and 3. Expressing wishes for HLC support (future). Conclusions In the process of establishing healthy habits, the need for help from personnel may be differentiated based on previous life experiences and present social relations.

scholarly journals Gender differences in the relationship of weight-based stigmatisation with motivation to exercise and physical activity in overweight individuals

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 205510291875969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krystal M Sattler ◽  
Frank P Deane ◽  
Linda Tapsell ◽  
Peter J Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Autonomous Motivation ◽  
Weight Stigma ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Stigma Experiences

Weight stigma is related to lower levels of motivation to exercise in overweight and obesity. This study explored the nature of the relationship between stigma, motivation to exercise and physical activity while accounting for gender differences. Participants were 439 adults with overweight and obesity (mean body mass index = 32.18 kg/m2, standard deviation = 4.09 kg/m2). Females reported significantly more frequent stigma experiences than males. Mediation models found a conditional direct effect of weight stigma for males, with higher frequency of stigma experiences related to higher levels of walking and vigorous physical activity. A conditional indirect effect was found for females for walking, moderate and vigorous levels of physical activity, with higher weight stigma related to lower autonomous motivation, and lower levels of physical activity. Findings suggest that males and females are affected differently by weight-stigma experiences.

Diversity in teachers’ approaches to movement integration: A qualitative study of lower secondary school teachers’ perceptions of a state school reform involving daily physical activity

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 429-447
Author(s):  
Henrik Taarsted Jørgensen ◽  
Sine Agergaard ◽  
Michalis Stylianou ◽  
Jens Troelsen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
School Reform ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Physical Activity Policy ◽  
Danish School ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Movement Integration

In the context of implementing a physical activity policy as part of a national school reform in Denmark, the purpose of this study was to explore lower secondary teachers’ interpretations and perceptions of the physical activity policy with a focus on movement integration. In total, 14 teachers from four different schools were selected to take part in this qualitative study, which involved semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, go-along observations and informal interviews. A thematic analysis framework was employed to identify and describe patterns of meaning within data. The findings showed substantial diversity among teachers’ interpretations and perceptions of movement integration, and consequently a lack of definitional clarity regarding movement integration and a possible misalignment between policy and practice. Teachers’ perceptions and interpretations of movement integration were influenced by other and more prioritised policies and discourses regarding academic achievement, as well as by intrapersonal, interpersonal and institutional factors. The findings also suggested a lack of support and collaboration within the school and provided insights into the strengths and weaknesses associated with the autonomy afforded in the Danish school reform.

scholarly journals Levels of physical activity in four domains and affective wellbeing before and during the Covid-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliane S. Engels ◽  
Michael Mutz ◽  
Yolanda Demetriou ◽  
Anne K. Reimers
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
German Population ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Sport And Exercise ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Time Point

Abstract Background Latest studies indicated that the general mental health level is low during the pandemic. Probably, this deterioration of the mental health situation is partly due to declines in physical activity. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in and the association between affective wellbeing and levels of different domains of physical activity at three time points before and during the pandemic. Method We used a nationwide online panel with a trend data design encompassing a total sample of N = 3517, representing the German population (> 14 years). Four different activity domains (sport and exercise, light outdoor activity, housework/gardening, active travel) and affective wellbeing (positive and negative affect) were assessed at three time points before and during the Covid-19 pandemic (October 2019, March 2020, October 2020). Results Multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA) indicate differences regarding affective wellbeing over the three time points with the lowest values at the second time point. Levels of activity in the four domains differed significantly over time with the strongest decrease for sport and exercise from the first to the second time point. Partial correlations indicated that the relationships between sport and exercise and positive affect were most consistent over time. Conclusions Overall, our findings suggest that physical activity plays a particularly important role in the pandemic period as a protective factor against poor mental health. Especially sports and exercise seem to be supportive and should be encouraged, e.g. by providing additional support in finding adequate outdoor, home-based or digital substitutes.

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