Anti-fat Attitudes and Weight Stigma Among Orthopedic Surgeons

Overview

Evidence shows that anti-fat attitudes and weight stigma are prevalent among healthcare professionals and may affect treatment decisions regarding patients with obesity. The present study aimed to examine the presence of anti-fat attitudes and weight stigma among orthopedic surgeons and their correlation to the therapeutic approach to patients with obesity. In this cross-sectional survey, 150 orthopedic surgeons will complete a web-based questionnaire. the questionnaire is based on Antifat Attitudes Questionnaire (AFA), developed by Crandall in 1994. In addition, the questionnaire will include a questionnaire developed by Bocquier in 200521 to explore weight stigma among physicians.

Data will be collected through an online questionnaire consisting of four parts. Part 1 will gather socio-demographic data using nine items. Part 2 will utilize the Antifat Attitudes Questionnaire (AFA), developed by Crandall in 1994. The questionnaire, comprising 13 items, will assess three subscales:1. "Dislike" measuring explicit antipathy toward fat individuals.2. "Fear of Fat" measuring personal concerns about weight or becoming overweight.3. "Willpower" measuring beliefs about personal control over being overweight. Participants will rate items on a 10-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating greater anti-fat bias. Part 3 will include a questionnaire developed by Bocquier in 2005 to explore weight stigma among physicians, consisting of 12 items. Participants will rate items on a 6-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating stronger weight stigma. Part 4 will investigate the therapeutic approach of orthopedic surgeons to patients with obesity using five items. Participants will items on a 6-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating a stronger preference for a conservative approach.

Conditions

Interventions