ERIC Number: ED587321
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 150
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-0-4381-2769-2
ISSN: EISSN-
EISSN: N/A
Weight and Eating Disorder Biases among Dietetic Interns: A Multiple Regression Study
Rahman, Rabia
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, Saint Louis University
Weight and eating disorder biases have been implicated as significant barriers to healthcare access and provision of appropriate care, potentially contributing to health disparities. Registered dietitians are vital constituents of multidisciplinary teams and a healthcare system dedicated to eliminating health disparities. However, research suggests that even dietitians who specialize in eating disorders or obesity engage in weight-based discrimination, suggesting that students studying to become registered dietitians may not be receiving adequate training in bias reduction strategies before entering the field. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether dietetic interns exhibit eating disorder or weight biases. The Weight-Related Attributes and Perceptions Scale (WRAPS), developed by the researcher to measure overweight bias, underweight bias, and eating disorder bias, was distributed to all dietetic interns enrolled in accredited dietetic internship programs. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics including the mean, standard deviation, multiple and linear regressions, as well as univariate ANOVA. Participants reported low overweight bias, underweight bias, and eating disorder bias overall. However, a positive relationship between eating disorder bias and weight bias was observed. Additionally, results from this study suggest that weight bias is a bidirectional construct and that anorexia nervosa was the most stigmatized condition. Although the results of this study did not corroborate previous findings of high biases among dietetic interns, including bias reduction strategies into the curricula of dietetics programs may better prepare registered dietitians to provide effective, appropriate, and minimally biased care. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Body Weight, Eating Disorders, Dietetics, Internship Programs, Multiple Regression Analysis, Social Bias, Social Attitudes, Measures (Individuals), Medical Education, Medical Students
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A