Estigma do peso, atitudes e crenças relacionadas à obesidade em estudantes universitários da área da saúde de uma universidade de Minas Gerais

Abstract

Introduction: Weight stigma, characterized by socially devalued weight-related behaviors that deviate from societal norms, primarily affects individuals with overweight or obesity, resulting in detrimental physical, mental, and psychosocial health outcomes. It is well-established that health professionals and students may harbor stigmatizing beliefs and attitudes toward obesity, which can compromise clinical care. Objective: To evaluate the correlation between obesity-related attitudes and beliefs and disordered eating behaviors among health science students at the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU) - MG. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional, mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) study. Recruitment was conducted via digital media and on-campus outreach, targeting students aged ≥18 years, of all genders, actively enrolled in health science courses at UFU. Data collection utilized the Microsoft Forms® platform with the following validated instruments: a Sociodemographic Characterization Questionnaire; the Fat Phobia Scale (Short Version); the Beliefs About Obese Persons (BAOP) Scale; the Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M); the Anti-Obesity Attitudes Scale; the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ); and the Short Disordered Eating Attitudes Scale (SDEAS). Focus groups were conducted in person with interested participants, incorporating the Silhouette Scale to assess body image perception. Quantitative data were analyzed using Jamovi® software (descriptive statistics and Spearman’s correlation), while qualitative data underwent Content Analysis supported by IRAMUTEQ® software. Results: Among the 385 participants in the quantitative phase, significant levels of internalized stigma were identified (mean: 3.25; 46.4% of the maximum score), which correlated significantly with BMI, disordered eating, and body dissatisfaction (p < .001). High levels of fatphobia (mean: 3.53; 70.6% of the maximum score) and individual culpability/blame (mean: 20.8; 43.3% of the maximum score) were also observed. The qualitative analysis yielded three thematic cores: "Conceptualizing stigma: ambiguity and lack of clarity"; "Beliefs regarding the individual with obesity"; and "The interplay of body image, diet, and professional identity during undergraduate training." Conclusion: The university population exhibits significant levels of weight stigma, fatphobia, and internalized bias. These factors are associated with disordered eating behaviors and have a deleterious impact on self-image perception within the context of professional training.