A service learning based project to change implicit and explicit bias toward obese individuals in kinesiology pre-professionals.
BACKGROUND
The objective of the study was to assess the efficacy of a multi-component intervention to reduce kinesiology pre-professionals' implicit and explicit bias.


METHODS
A pre-post experimental design, which consisted of an experimental group (n = 42) and a control group (n = 36), was conducted to assess the efficacy of the intervention using both implicit and explicit obesity bias measures.


RESULTS
On the pre-test, participants did not display overall explicit bias on the Anti-Fat Attitudes Test (AFAT) but had strong implicit bias and bias on the lazy/motivated semantic differential scale. Participation in the intervention reduced explicit bias on the AFAT social character disparagement and weight control/blame subscales but not implicit bias.


CONCLUSIONS
Implicit bias remains difficult to change and appears to be deep-seated in individuals' minds. Future interventions may need methods to make sure all participants process and connect emotionally to all information.
Rukavina
Paul B
PB
Department of Health Studies, Physical Education, and Human Performance Science, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY 11530, USA. Rukavina@adephi.edu
Li
Weidong
W
Shen
Bo
B
Sun
Haichun
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006281:Health Occupations / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D018953:Kinesiology, Applied / Q000193:education*; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology*; D011287:Prejudice; D012381:Role Playing; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013240:Stereotyping; D013336:Students, Health Occupations / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States; D014936:Word Association Tests; D055815:Young Adult