Marriage and Family Therapy Trainees' Reports of Explicit Weight Bias

Abstract

Discrimination based on an individual's weight has been observed in health care, education, retail, and other public sectors (Puhl & Huer, Obesity, 17, 941, 2007). Such inequity, known as "weight bias," generates negative short-term and long-term consequences for the individuals that experience it (Puhl & Brownell, Weight bias in health care settings, 2007). Past research has shown that healthcare trainees exhibit weight bias (Phelan et al., Obesity, 22, 1201, 2014; Wigton & McGaghie, Journal of General Internal Medicine, 16, 262, 2001), yet little focus is given to weight bias in marriage and family therapy (MFT) education. The purpose of this study was to survey MFT students (N = 162) to explore weight bias and how contextual factors associate with weight bias. Participants in MFT programs reported explicit weight bias, with specific contextual factors associating with more bias. Female participants reported more fear of gaining weight, and individuals who identified as overweight had higher rates of explicit weight bias. Contextual differences and implications for training programs are discussed.

Marriage and Family Therapy Students’ Views on Including Weight Bias Training into Their Clinical Programs

“…Similar to previously published research (Pratt et al , 2015b, participants reported a lack of familiarity with the topic of weight bias and the subsequent effects weight bias could have on their clinical encounters. Particular concern was noted about students beginning their clinical work without receiving training on weight bias and working with clients who are overweight.…”

“…In 2010, a study reported that approximately 70 % (N = 217) of clinicians polled from the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, reported seeing one client for obesity-related challenges in the past year (Lambert-Shute et al 2010). Despite the fact that MFTs are working with this population, a recent study focusing on MFT students, faculty, and clinicians found that participants reported not receiving training on how to effectively work with clients who were overweight on their weight-related behaviors, even though they were treating these clients in practice (Pratt et al , 2015b. Participants in this study believed that clinicians should receive training on how to work with clients who are overweight in an effective and sensitive manner.…”

“…Given the lack of focused clinical training in the areas of weight bias (Pratt et al 2015a) and weight-related behaviors (Pratt et al , 2015b) the authors asked for participants' feedback, via focus groups, on their previous experiences related to weight bias training, evaluation of the provided training, and ideas for future inclusion as a part of MFT programs.…”

“…Past research in the field indicates that MFTs not only report a lack of focused training on how to work with clients who are overweight (Pratt et al , 2015b, but they also have reported explicit weight bias (Pratt et al 2015a). These findings indicate a limitation in current training programs' ability to help MFTs provide ethical and sensitive services to clients who are overweight and to further equip them to work with a range of body sizes.…”

“…Several studies have focused their attention on the field of MFT and working with individuals who are overweight (Lambert-Shute et al 2010;Pratt et al , 2015b. In 2010, a study reported that approximately 70 % (N = 217) of clinicians polled from the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, reported seeing one client for obesity-related challenges in the past year (Lambert-Shute et al 2010).…”