Weight Bias in Educational Settings: a Systematic Review.

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Public Health
• Education

Background:

• Weight bias and stigma are significant issues affecting individuals across various life stages.
• The educational environment can be a site where weight bias is perpetuated or challenged.
• Understanding the prevalence and impact of weight bias is crucial for promoting equitable educational experiences and student well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review empirical, peer-reviewed studies on the prevalence of weight bias among students, pre-service teachers, and in-service teachers.
• To assess the impact of weight bias on the educational experiences and health of students from kindergarten to postsecondary settings.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted across eight databases.
• Keywords focused on three core concepts: weight bias/stigma, obesity/overweight, and education.
• The search identified 8323 records, with 45 studies meeting the inclusion criteria for the review.

Main Results:

• Weight bias is prevalent in educational settings, affecting students through peer interactions and attitudes of pre-service and in-service teachers.
• The majority of reviewed studies (n=41) were situated in K-12 settings and employed quantitative designs (n=37).
• Weight bias negatively impacts students' health and their overall educational experiences.

Conclusions:

• Weight bias contributes to inequity for students with obesity.
• Areas requiring further investigation include weight bias in postsecondary education and the attitudes of teachers and pre-service teachers.
• Innovative strategies are necessary to effectively address and mitigate weight bias within educational environments.