title: Positioning of Weight Bias: Moving towards Social Justice.
abstract: Weight bias is a form of stigma with detrimental effects on the health and wellness of individuals with large bodies. Researchers from various disciplines have recognized weight bias as an important topic for public health and for professional practice. To date, researchers from various areas have approached weight bias from independent perspectives and from differing theoretical orientations. In this paper, we examined the similarities and differences between three perspectives (i.e., weight-centric, non-weight-centric (health-centric), and health at every size) used to understand weight bias and approach weight bias research with regard to (a) language about people with large bodies, (b) theoretical position, (c) identified consequences of weight bias, and (d) identified influences on weight-based social inequity. We suggest that, despite differences, each perspective acknowledges the negative influences that position weight as being within individual control and the negative consequences of weight bias. We call for recognition and discussion of weight bias as a social justice issue in order to change the discourse and professional practices extended towards individuals with large bodies. We advocate for an emphasis on social justice as a uniting framework for interdisciplinary research on weight bias.
authors.affiliation: Counselling Psychology, Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3306-345X
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nutter
authors.affiliation: Counselling Psychology, Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Shelly
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5103-8031
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Russell-Mayhew
authors.affiliation: Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Angela S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Alberga
authors.affiliation: Counselling Psychology, Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8247-6122
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arthur
authors.affiliation: Counselling Psychology, Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Anusha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kassan
authors.affiliation: Curriculum and Learning, Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Darren E
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1607-5424
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Lund
authors.affiliation: Counselling Psychology, Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sesma-Vazquez
authors.affiliation: Counselling Psychology, Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5808-6682
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000523:psychology*; D012935:Social Justice; D013240:Stereotyping