Funding outcome

Weight bias refers to the tendency to make unfair judgements about a person because of his or her weight. Weight bias acts as a constant stressor. People who experience weight bias tend to have poor health outcomes. For example, 'fat-shaming' does not motivate healthy choices, but can lead to depression, loneliness, and unhealthy coping strategies, including binge eating and avoiding physical activity. In schools, weight-related bullying is the most common form of bullying. Teachers have also been shown to treat students with obesity differently, which can harm their academic performance. Little research to date has explored ways to reduce weight bias, particularly with children. Given that overweight and obesity affect roughly one-third of Canadian children, it is important to reduce weight bias and potential poor health outcomes. To address this children's health issue, Alberta's 2016 Nutrition Report Card on Food Environments for Children and Youth recommended researching ways to reduce weight bias in schools. Studies have shown that parents and school staff also recognize the need for more research in this area, and support strategies to reduce weight bias. Since Alberta is currently in the midst of curriculum redesign, it is an opportune time to capture the attention of important decision-makers. I will lead a pilot research project that will evaluate the effectiveness of school-based programs designed to reduce weight biases held by students in Grades 4-6, parents, and teachers in Edmonton, Alberta. First, I will interview teachers to determine what resources are needed to address weight bias in their classrooms and schools. This could include a weight bias curriculum for students, a weight bias workshop for teachers, and parent in-services. I will then develop a 'weight bias resource toolkit' for teachers in collaboration with organizations including the Canadian Obesity Network and the Association for Size Diversity and Health. The program will be implemented from October 2018 to May 2019. Using existing online tools, levels of weight bias will be measured in students, parents, and teachers before and after the programs. Results will then be compared to findings from a control school which has not had the program. I will share findings with parents, school staff, local school boards, and Alberta Education in the form of presentations, summary reports, and school newsletter articles. I will also write academic papers and deliver presentations at national and international conferences to communicate results with researchers who are similarly interested in reducing weight bias and childhood obesity. In doing so, I hope to inform policy change related to addressing weight bias in school curriculum and policies, and increase public awareness of the negative health impacts of weight bias. Reducing weight bias in schools can foster positive social environments that support the physical, mental, and social health of children. If effective, we will plan to gradually expand the program for Grades K-12 in schools across Canada.