Association Between Weight Stigma Experiences in Healthcare and Self-Reported Healthcare Avoidance in a National Sample.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Although weight stigma in healthcare is common, existing measures may not capture the full range of patients' weight stigma experiences in clinical practice. We aimed to examine how physical examination by healthcare providers, communication, and the built environment perpetuate weight stigma and impact healthcare avoidance. Items from the previously developed Weight Stigma in Healthcare Inventory (WSHCI) were tested to assess weight stigma experiences and assess association with healthcare avoidance.

Methods

Two sample groups, identified through ResearchMatch and a Qualtrics survey panel, completed the WSHCI online. We analyzed the association between individual items and healthcare avoidance, and between a summation of weight stigma experiences and healthcare av

SUBMITTER: Robinson KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12550863 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature