Health care professionals' attitudes about obesity: an integrative review

Stigma and discrimination against obese people are common and related to individual attitudes about obesity. Despite a robust field of study on attitudes related to obesity, no integrative review of health providers' beliefs exist. Fifteen studies (1990-2007) on various health care providers are examined along with practice implications. Analysis indicates that attitudes toward overweight patients, although primarily still negative, have improved over time. Findings indicate that care dispensed to obese patients is not as likely to be affected by health care providers' attitudes as in the past. Implications include the need for additional research, awareness education, and practice guidelines.