Reducing weight bias and stigma in qualitative research interviews: Considerations for researchers.

Perceptions and biases influence how we interact with and experience the world, including in professional roles as researchers. Weight bias, defined as negative attitudes or perceptions towards people that have large bodies, can contribute to weight stigma and discrimination leading to negative health and social consequences. Weight bias is experienced by people living with obesity in media, health care, education, employment and social settings.

A scoping review of obesity education interventions for current and prospective medical professionals in Canada.

Background: Obesity is a prevalent chronic disease in Canada. Individuals living with obesity frequently interact with medical professionals who must be prepared to provide evidence-based and person-centred care options. The purpose of this scoping review was to summarize existing educational interventions on obesity in Canada for current and prospective medical professionals and to identify key future directions for practice and research.

Transforming the landscape of obesity education - The Canadian obesity education competencies.

Background: With ongoing gaps in obesity education delivery for health professions in Canada and around the world, a transformative shift is needed to address and mitigate weight bias and stigma, and foster evidence-based approaches to obesity assessment and care in the clinical setting. Obesity Canada has created evidence-based obesity competencies for medical education that can guide curriculum development, assessment and evaluation and be applied to health professionals' education programs in Canada and across the world.

Methods: The Obesity Canada Education Action Team has seventeen members in health professions education and research along with students and patient experts.

Patient perceptions about obesity management in the context of concomitant care for other chronic diseases.

Background: Approximately 15% of Canadian adults live with two or more chronic diseases, many of which are obesity related. The degree to which Canadian obesity treatment guidelines are integrated into chronic disease management is unknown.

Methods: We conducted a 12-min online survey among a non-probability sample of 2506 adult Canadians who met at least one of the following criteria: 1) BMI ≥30 kg/m; 2) medical diagnosis of obesity; 3) undergone medically supervised treatment for obesity; or 4) a belief that excess/abnormal adipose tissue impairs their health.

Acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a single-arm 12-week digital behavioral health intervention in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Background: Digital health interventions may improve osteoarthritis (OA) management. This study evaluated the acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a multimodal digital nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness intervention in adults with knee OA.

Methods: Adults with advanced knee OA and an orthopaedic referral were invited to self-enroll in a pragmatic 12-week single-arm intervention.

Protocol for the POMELO (Prevention Of MusclE Loss in Osteoarthritis) randomized pilot feasibility trial.

Objective: Individuals with advanced knee osteoarthritis (OA) and a large body size [a body mass index (BMI) ≥35 ​kg/m] have a higher risk of complications with total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and hence may be ineligible for surgery unless they reduce their BMI. However, pre-TKA weight-loss has not been shown to reduce surgical infection risk and may inadvertently increase risk for muscle loss and development of sarcopenic obesity (low muscle and low strength with higher fat mass). This suggests that a knee OA management approach that doesn't focus on weight change (weight-neutral) may be beneficial.

Psychotherapy Within Occupational Therapy Literature: A Scoping Review.

Recent changes in the Canadian regulatory landscape have prompted reflections on the role and scope of occupational therapy in the provision of psychotherapy. To document how psychotherapy has been explored in occupational therapy literature. We conducted a scoping review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines by searching eight databases (e.

Mapping changes in the obesity stigma discourse through Obesity Canada: a content analysis.

Background: Stigmatization of persons living with obesity is an important public health issue. In 2015, Obesity Canada adopted person-first language in all internal documentation produced by the organization, and, from 2017, required all authors to use person-first language in abstract submissions to Obesity Canada hosted conferences. The impact of this intentional shift in strategic focus is not known.

Patient engagement in the design of an intervention to prevent muscle loss in individuals with knee osteoarthritis and a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35.

Objective: Interventions for knee osteoarthritis (OA) in adults with a large body size (defined as a body mass index [BMI] ≥ 35 kg/m ) often prioritise weight-loss, which may overshadow specific benefits for physical function, metabolic health, and body composition. As part of the development of a future clinical study, we gathered perspectives from individuals living with knee OA and a large body size to inform the proposed intervention design and delivery.

Methods: Purposive and voluntary sampling was used to engage individuals ≥40 years of age with self-reported knee OA and a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m .

The use of digital storytelling of patients' stories as an approach to translating knowledge: a scoping review.

Background: A growing interest has centered on digital storytelling in health research, described as a multi-media presentation of a story using technology. The use of digital storytelling in knowledge translation (KT) is emerging as technology advances in healthcare to address the challenging tasks of disseminating and transferring knowledge to key stakeholders. We conducted a scoping review of the literature available on the use of patient digital storytelling as a tool in KT interventions.

Associations Between Self-Reported Weight History and Sarcopenic Obesity in Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine associations between self-reported weight history and sarcopenic obesity in adults with advanced knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Self-reported weight history was collected from n = 151 adults (58.9% female) with knee OA and BMI ≥30 kg/m in a cross-sectional study.

"It's not a simple answer." A qualitative study to explore how healthcare providers can best support families with a child with autism spectrum disorder and overweight or obesity.

Purpose: This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of parents supporting their child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and overweight or obesity (OW/OB), including their weight management support needs.

Methods: Interview transcripts were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Nine parents ( = 9 mothers) of ten children with ASD (7 males, 3 females) participated in individual semi-structured interviews.

Clinical screening and identification of sarcopenic obesity in adults with advanced knee osteoarthritis.

Background And Aims: Sarcopenic obesity (defined as low muscle mass and strength with high adiposity) requires attention in adults with advanced knee osteoarthritis (OA) due to implications on treatment outcomes. This study aimed to identify muscle function measures and patient characteristics associated with the presence of low muscle mass that could be used to screen and detect sarcopenic obesity in patients with knee OA in the clinical setting.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of patients with knee OA and a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m.

Weight bias and health care utilization: a scoping review.

Aim: The purpose of this scoping review was to explore the evidence on how perceptions and/or experiences of weight bias in primary health care influence engagement with and utilization of health care services by individuals with obesity.

Background: Prior studies have found discrepancies in the use of health care services by individuals living with obesity; a greater body mass index has been associated with decreased health care utilization, and weight bias has been identified as a major barrier to engagement with health services.

Methods: PubMed was searched from January 2000 to July 2017.

The Effect of Carotid Chemoreceptor Inhibition on Exercise Tolerance in Chronic Heart Failure.

Purpose: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is characterized by heightened sympathetic nervous activity, carotid chemoreceptor (CC) sensitivity, marked exercise intolerance and an exaggerated ventilatory response to exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of CC inhibition on exercise cardiovascular and ventilatory function, and exercise tolerance in health and CHF.

Methods: Twelve clinically stable, optimally treated patients with CHF (mean ejection fraction: 43 ± 2.

Addressing weight bias and stigma of obesity amongst physiotherapists.

: Physiotherapists, as with all other healthcare professionals, report attitudes toward patients with obesity and beliefs about obesity that contribute to weight bias and stigma. : Determine if physiotherapists' attitudes and/or beliefs changed after attending an educational seminar that included content about the challenges faced by patients with obesity undergoing joint replacement and strategies on how to work effectively and sensitively with this population.: Physiotherapists completed a survey before and after attending a one day seminar to evaluate attitudes (The Attitude Towards Obese Persons, ATOP) and beliefs (Beliefs About Obese Persons, BAOP) towards obesity.

Addressing Internalized Weight Bias and Changing Damaged Social Identities for People Living With Obesity.

Obesity is a stigmatized disease due to pervasive personal, professional, institutional, and cultural weight bias. Individuals with obesity experience weight bias across their lifespan and settings, which can affect their life chances and significantly impact health and social outcomes. The objectives of this study were to: (a) explore weight bias and stigma experiences of people living with obesity; (b) develop counterstories that can reduce weight bias and stigma; and (c) reflect on current obesity master narratives and identify opportunities for personal, professional, and social change.

Poor Physical Function as a Marker of Sarcopenia in Adults with Class II/III Obesity.

Background: Adults with class II/III obesity [body mass index (in kg/m) ≥35] may present with a phenotype characterized by low lean mass and excess fat mass, a condition known as sarcopenic obesity (SO). Little is known about the prevalence and relevance of SO in these individuals, primarily due to a lack of relevant diagnostic criteria.

Objective: Here, we explored the definition of SO based on physical function as an outcome of interest in adults with class II/III obesity and applied this definition to compare clinical characteristics between SO and non-SO patients.

The impact of sarcopenic obesity on knee and hip osteoarthritis: a scoping review.

Background: The progressive, debilitating nature of knee and hip osteoarthritis can result in severe, persistent pain and disability, potentially leading to a need for total joint arthroplasty (TJA) in end-stage osteoarthritis. TJA in adults with obesity is associated with increased surgical risk and prolonged recovery, yet classifying obesity only using body mass index (BMI) precludes distinction of obesity phenotypes and their impact on surgical risk and recovery. The sarcopenic obesity phenotype, characterized by high adiposity and low skeletal muscle mass, is associated with higher infection rates, poorer function, and slower recovery after surgery in other clinical populations, but not thoroughly investigated in osteoarthritis.

A critical analysis of obesity prevention policies and strategies.

Objectives: Public health policies have been criticized for promoting a simplistic narrative that may contribute to weight bias. Weight bias can impact population health by increasing morbidity and mortality. The objectives of this study were to: 1 ) critically analyze Canadian obesity prevention policies and strategies to identify underlying dominant narratives; 2) deconstruct dominant narratives and consider the unintended consequences for people with obesity; and 3) make recommendations to change dominant obesity narratives that may be contributing to weight bias.