Physician assistants' attitudes about obesity and obese individuals.
The purpose of this study is to examine physician assistant (PA) attitudes about obesity and obese individuals.


METHODS
Cross sectional study surveying graduate PA members of the New York State Society of Physician Assistants. Participants completed the Fat Phobia Scale and provided years in practice, gender and age. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA with p<0.05.


RESULTS
Mean score for the Fat Phobia Scale was 3.58 ± 0.51 which represents an average amount of obesity bias. There was significantly less bias among participants ≥51 years of age and all other groups, as well as a statistically significant difference between PAs practicing 5-10 years and those practicing >20 years (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This study documents a negativity towards obese people among PAs that is documented within other health professions as well. As with any bias, the first step in reducing prejudice and stereotyping is to recognize it within oneself.
Department of Physical Assistant Studies, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY 11568-8000, USA. cwolf01@nyit.edu
Corri
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Wolf
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York; D009765:Obesity; D010823:Physician Assistants / Q000523:psychology*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult