Work

Examining the effect of an obesity suit role-playing exercise on empathy and weight bias in nutrition students

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Addressing weight bias in registered dietitians should start during their education. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a role-playing exercise utilizing an obesity suit on empathy and weight bias among nutrition science students. A quasi-experimental design was used with 34 first-year nutrition sciences students. Participants wore an obesity simulation suit and engaged in a standardized scenario illustrating weight bias. Surveys, including the Anti-Fat Attitudes Questionnaire (AFA), the short form of the Fat-Phobia Scale (FPS), Weight Implicit Association Test (Weight-IAT), and Jefferson Scale of Empathy S version, were administered at baseline, 1-week, and 3-week post-intervention. Demographic and weight history data were collected at baseline. A total of 34 students participated in the study, with a median age of 24 years; 70.6% were women. The mean scores for the Weight-IAT test decreased over time ( P < 0. 001). In contrast, no significant changes were observed in AFA, FPS, or empathy scores ( P = 0. 877, P = 0. 053, P = 0. 960, respectively). While not statistically significant, the AFA "fear of fat" subscale showed an increasing trend (3.46 ± 0.39, 3.66 ± 0.42, 3.91 ± 0.46 at baseline, 1-week, and 3-week post-intervention, P = 0. 293), whereas the "willpower" subscale demonstrated a decreasing trend (4.40 ± 0.34, 3.82 ± 0.30, 3.81 ± 0.35 at baseline, 1-week, and 3-week post-intervention, P = 0. 081). An intervention involving an obesity suit and simulation scenario reduced implicit weight bias scores among nutrition science students. However, no significant changes were observed in overall anti-fat attitudes, fat-phobia, or empathy. NCT06192537 • Training nutrition students early is crucial to reducing weight bias in their roles. • Obesity-suit simulation role-play intervention reduced implicit weight bias. • No significant change was observed in explicit weight bias or empathy. • Trends showed a rising "fear of fat" and declining "willpower" beliefs. • Further research is needed to optimize obesity-suit simulations for empathy and weight bias.

Source: Nutrition

DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2025.112813

Authors: Inbar Tayar-Wachsberger, Gizel Green, Michael Pinus, Sigal Tepper, Shiri Sherf-Dagan

Institutions: Ariel University, The Max Stern Yezreel Valley College, Tel Hai Academic College, Assuta Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Obesity and Health Practices

Subfield: Pharmacy

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,870