Weight-Inclusive Physical Activity: A Systematic Evaluation of Virtual Resources

Higher-weight individuals report lower rates of physical activity behavior and poorer physical activity experiences compared with their normative-weight counterparts, likely owing to the pervasiveness of weight stigma in physical activity contexts. Employing weight-inclusive strategies may improve physical activity outcomes, though little is known about the practical application of weight-inclusive principles in physical activity contexts. Furthermore, given the prominence of virtual methods of information dissemination, exploring online weight-inclusive resources is valuable.

Using Google, Instagram, and snowball searches, a virtual environmental scan was conducted to collect publicly available weight-inclusive physical activity resources. Two independent coders applied an a priori codebook to all eligible resources to evaluate the application of weight-inclusive principles.

N = 80 weight-inclusive physical activity resources were identified, offering a range of educational materials (40%) and/or provision of physical activity services (76.3%). Virtual resources generally adhered to weight-inclusive principles by showcasing diversity in body size, using weight-inclusive language, and centering physical activity that honors the body's signals and cues; however, some also included weight-normative content. Provisional physical activity resources primarily targeted diverse-bodied end users, offered a range of physical activity types (eg, yoga, weight training, and dance), were membership-based, and offered asynchronous access.

This study utilizes a systematic approach to collect and evaluate virtual, publicly available, and weight-inclusive physical activity resources. Virtual physical activity resources that adhere to weight-inclusive principles may be important for increasing accessible physical activity opportunities for higher-weight individuals.