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Review
. 2025 Jun 12;13(1):108.
doi: 10.1186/s40337-025-01275-1.

Weight bias among undergraduate women with health-related majors: a systematic review

Carly R Pacanowski  1 , Diane Vizthum  2 , Sarah E Katz  2 , Christine Skubisz  3
Affiliations
Review

Weight bias among undergraduate women with health-related majors: a systematic review

Carly R Pacanowski et al. J Eat Disord. .

Abstract

Background: Weight bias in healthcare has negative consequences for both patients and providers. While weight bias has been examined among healthcare professionals, understanding levels of bias during education may aid in understanding when bias is most salient and allow for targeted intervention to reduce bias. The objective of this systematic review was to describe the levels of explicit, internalized, and implicit weight bias among undergraduate women majoring in health-related fields.

Methods: This review was pre-registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023478263). A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, APA PsycINFO (Proquest), CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library (CENTRAL). Search terms centered on weight bias and undergraduate students studying health-related topics. Original research studies available in English that presented data on weight bias outcomes and presented data in the publication or provided data after being contacted for undergraduate women in health-related majors were included. Study quality was assessed with the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool. Mean scores for quantitative scales and themes from qualitative studies were extracted and summarized.

Results: The search produced 681 results; 14 studies were found eligible representing 3,260 women from eight countries. Eight different quantitative scales were used across 12 studies to assess aspects of weight bias; one assessed implicit weight bias and one subscale assessed internalized weight bias. Two of the 14 studies used qualitative methods. Most studies reported low or moderate weight bias but most scale developers did not include cut points. Scales relating to controllability of obesity or blame had scores most indicative of weight bias.

Discussion: Undergraduate women in health-related majors have levels of explicit weight bias similar to levels that have been reported in healthcare professionals. There have been limited studies assessing internalized weight bias, implicit weight bias, and qualitative assessments in undergraduate women majoring in health-related fields.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA Diagram
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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