Weight Bias and Social Justice: Implications for Education and Practice

Nutter, Sarah; Russell‐Mayhew, Shelly; Arthur, Nancy; Ellard, John

doi:10.1007/s10447-018-9320-8

Cited by 11 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Utilizing knowledge of the justice motive, there are alternative ways to conceptualize June's experience in counseling. As opposed to seeing June's issues as internal, or due to lack of willpower, the counselor might listen to June's presenting concerns from the perspective of a client who is dealing with prejudice and who may benefit from a social justice orientation in counseling (Nutter, Russell-Mayhew, Arthur, & Ellard, 2018a) to address the external influences that are contributing to her presenting issues. The weight bias she experiences in her life may provide a deeper and more appropriate explanation for her low-self-esteem.…”

Section: Application To a Case Examplementioning

confidence: 99%

Reducing unintended harm: Addressing weight bias as a social justice issue in counseling through justice motive theory.

Nutter¹,

Russell‐Mayhew²,

Ellard³

et al. 2020

Professional Psychology: Research and Practice

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Weight bias comprises a multitude of stereotypes about individuals with large bodies, as well as negative attitudes and discriminatory behaviors. In a culture of normative discontent that emphasizes thinness as a social ideal, many counselors will inevitably work with clients who seek assistance with weight loss. Although weight loss may be a client's identified treatment goal, counselors must consider the potential for harm working toward such a goal in therapy. In this article, we utilize justice motive theory to discuss the potential unintended harm to clients in counseling when weight bias is not considered as part of a case conceptualization. Through the examination of three common social messages related to body weight (i.e., the controllability of body weight, the morality of weight, the social acceptability of weight bias), the justice motive is used to illustrate a case example and the implications for counseling. Considerations for socially just practices in counseling are discussed, as well as future research directions. Public Significance StatementNegative attitudes and stereotypes about individuals with large bodies, known as weight bias, are a serious problem that can impact health care, including experiences in counseling. This article provides a framework for understanding how unintentional weight bias can negatively impact counseling practice and provides practice considerations from a social justice perspective.

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Section: Application To a Case Examplementioning

confidence: 99%

Reducing unintended harm: Addressing weight bias as a social justice issue in counseling through justice motive theory.

Nutter¹,

Russell‐Mayhew²,

Ellard³

et al. 2020

Professional Psychology: Research and Practice

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, the culture of "fat" is an area of study that has not been a focus of sufficient social work research attention (Nutter et al, 2016). Weight biases and the co-occurring stigmatization in American society brings to fruition the need for social workers to recognize, understand, and bring awareness to the social injustices associated with individuals with obesity, especially within the realm of social work (Nutter, Russell-Mayhew, Arthur, & Ellard, 2018). Weight biases include the negative attitudes associated with being overweight and encompasses many stereotypical connotations such as laziness, lack of will power, and lack of self-control (Nutter et al, 2018;Puhl & Brownell, 2006).…”

Section: Fat Culture and Obesitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Weight biases and the co-occurring stigmatization in American society brings to fruition the need for social workers to recognize, understand, and bring awareness to the social injustices associated with individuals with obesity, especially within the realm of social work (Nutter, Russell-Mayhew, Arthur, & Ellard, 2018). Weight biases include the negative attitudes associated with being overweight and encompasses many stereotypical connotations such as laziness, lack of will power, and lack of self-control (Nutter et al, 2018;Puhl & Brownell, 2006). It becomes imperative for NASW and social work curriculums to understand weight biases and the ways in which this population is segregated and under-represented through both the historically constructed and the hierarchical construction of diversity and cultural humility.…”

Section: Fat Culture and Obesitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Current research indicates a scarcity in examining social work student attitudes in exploring beliefs and biases associated with obesity and paucity in research literature regarding social work interventions for people of size (Lawrence et al, 201;(Pappas et al, 2015). Insufficient research on obesity and social work students highlights the paucity of knowledge regarding professional bias and ethical practices (Foronda et al, 2018;Lawrence et al, 2012;Nutter et al, 2018). Traditionally, oppressed groups have included LGBTQ groups, ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and racial minorities.…”

Section: Fat Culture and Obesitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Western cultures, there is a "thinness norm" with descriptors that posits a what normative body type would be. Thinner body types project concepts of being healthy and full of vitality (Forth, 2013;Nutter et al, 2018). From a historical perspective and obesity, tantamount to gluttony and immorality comes from a religious view of obesity being an overindulgent behavior, which likens with sins of the flesh (Rogge et al, 2004).…”

Section: Fat Culture and Obesitymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Social Work and Obesity

Wood

Lane

Mattheus

2020

csw

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Social work is a profession based on social justice and anti-oppressive action. Social workers in direct practice in most states must possess a master’s level graduate degree and have completed internship/practicum placements hours. This higher education and professional development prerequisites within graduate curriculums must begin to include increased acceptance and understanding of diversity and social justice through expanded lenses and move beyond current frameworks of diversity. For example, one such area of diversity that has become an increasing proportion of higher education students are students who identify as obese or “fat,” and are experiencing oppression and stigma in their everyday life. The authors used a grounded approach to analyze 100 accredited graduate social work programs’ curriculum throughout the United States, with the goal of understanding how the topic of obesity and weight-based oppression were integrated into learning curriculums of diversity, social justice, and cultural humility. The authors will discuss “fat culture” and stigma associated with an obese identity, as well as systems that are inherently oppressive to people who are of larger size. The findings revealed evidence of professional disregard for this population in practice, as well as overarching disregard for body size as a dimension of diversity and inclusion on an institutional level. The authors will reflect on these findings and discuss implications for practice, knowledge, and professional and educational pedagogy.

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Expanding notions of equity: Body diversity and social justice

Campbell

2021

Psychology in the Schools

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Despite their negative effects on the emotional, physical, and social wellbeing of students, weight stigma and anti‐fat attitudes are rarely systematically addressed in schools or within school psychology. Weight‐based oppression is regarded differently than other domains of prejudice. Therefore, implicit and explicit bias continue unimpeded, even when practitioners are attentive to other areas of social injustice. Mental health providers serving schools must acknowledge the prevalence of weight stigma and fatphobia to reduce their deleterious and oppressive effects. This conceptual paper outlines the underpinnings of weight stigma, overviews the necessity of addressing it and body image in educational settings, incorporates interdisciplinary perspectives, and proposes a justice‐oriented shift in the conceptualization of weight status within school psychological service delivery.

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Weight Bias and Social Justice: Implications for Education and Practice

Cited by 11 publications

References 48 publications

Reducing unintended harm: Addressing weight bias as a social justice issue in counseling through justice motive theory.

Reducing unintended harm: Addressing weight bias as a social justice issue in counseling through justice motive theory.

Social Work and Obesity

Expanding notions of equity: Body diversity and social justice

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