Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
J Am Coll Health. 2024 May-Jun;72(4):1023-1026. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2074279. Epub 2022 May 12.
This cross-sectional study examined students' perspectives on the ramifications of obesity being recognized as a chronic disease in Canada.
Undergraduate and graduate students (n = 150) in health-related programs at a major Canadian university.
An online survey featured open-ended questions to capture student perspectives on recognizing obesity as a disease. Data were evaluated using content analysis methods.
Positive themes identified included: (a) treatment accessibility; (b) improved healthcare provider attitudes; (c) de-stigmatization of obesity; (d) promotion of health behaviors; and (e) greater research/funding. Negative themes included potential: (a) healthcare system burdens; (b) perpetuation of obesity stigma; (c) medicalization of obesity; and (d) de-emphasis on modifiable risk factors as contributing to obesity.
There is a need to increase students' understanding of the multifaceted nature of obesity and the prevention of obesity-related stigma within healthcare. Findings may inform post-secondary health curricula and obesity initiatives.
本横断面研究调查了学生对肥胖在加拿大被认定为慢性病的后果的看法。
在一所加拿大主要大学的健康相关项目中的本科生和研究生（n=150）。
一项在线调查采用开放式问题来捕捉学生对肥胖作为一种疾病的看法。使用内容分析方法评估数据。
确定的积极主题包括：（a）治疗可及性；（b）改善医疗服务提供者的态度；（c）肥胖去污名化；（d）促进健康行为；和（e）更多的研究/资金。负面主题包括潜在的：（a）医疗系统负担；（b）肥胖污名的延续；（c）肥胖的医学化；和（d）对导致肥胖的可改变风险因素的重视程度降低。
需要提高学生对肥胖的多方面性质和预防医疗保健中肥胖相关污名的理解。研究结果可能为高等教育健康课程和肥胖干预措施提供信息。
