TY - JOUR
T1 - Women's refusal to be weighed during healthcare visits
T2 - Links to body image
AU - Winter, Virginia Ramseyer
AU - Trout, Kate
AU - Harrop, Erin
AU - O'Neill, Elizabeth
AU - Puhl, Rebecca
AU - Bartlett-Esquilant, Gillian
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2023/9
Y1 - 2023/9
N2 - The purpose of this mixed methods study was to assess the relationship between body image and refusal to be weighed by a healthcare provider among women in the United States, including examination of their reasons for refusal. Between January 15 to February 1, 2021, an online mixed-methods cross-sectional survey assessing body image and healthcare behaviors was administered to adult cis-gender women. Of the 384 respondents, 32.3 % reported refusing to be weighed by a healthcare provider. After controlling for SES, race, age, and BMI in multivariate logistical regression, the odds of refusing to be weighed were 40 % lower for every unit increase in body image score (positive body appreciation). The most common reasons for refusing to be weighed were having a negative impact on emotions, self-esteem, or mental health (52.4 %). Higher body appreciation decreased the odds of refusing to be weighed among women. Reasons for refusing to be weighed ranged from shame and embarrassment to lack of provider trust, personal autonomy, and concerns about discrimination. Identifying interventions and alternatives such as telehealth to provide healthcare services that are weight-inclusive may mediate these negative experiences.
AB - The purpose of this mixed methods study was to assess the relationship between body image and refusal to be weighed by a healthcare provider among women in the United States, including examination of their reasons for refusal. Between January 15 to February 1, 2021, an online mixed-methods cross-sectional survey assessing body image and healthcare behaviors was administered to adult cis-gender women. Of the 384 respondents, 32.3 % reported refusing to be weighed by a healthcare provider. After controlling for SES, race, age, and BMI in multivariate logistical regression, the odds of refusing to be weighed were 40 % lower for every unit increase in body image score (positive body appreciation). The most common reasons for refusing to be weighed were having a negative impact on emotions, self-esteem, or mental health (52.4 %). Higher body appreciation decreased the odds of refusing to be weighed among women. Reasons for refusing to be weighed ranged from shame and embarrassment to lack of provider trust, personal autonomy, and concerns about discrimination. Identifying interventions and alternatives such as telehealth to provide healthcare services that are weight-inclusive may mediate these negative experiences.
KW - Body appreciation
KW - Cisgender women
KW - Healthcare
KW - Weighing refusal
KW - Weight stigma
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U2 - 10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.04.006
DO - 10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.04.006
M3 - Article
C2 - 37209579
AN - SCOPUS:85159838230
SN - 1740-1445
VL - 46
SP - 41
EP - 47
JO - Body Image
JF - Body Image
ER -