“What can her body do?” Reducing weight stigma by appreciating another person’s body functionality

Method

Participants were 98 women (Mage = 23.17, Range = 16–63) who viewed a photograph of a higher-weight woman, “Anne,” and were randomised to complete a writing exercise either describing what “Anne’s” body could do (experimental group) or describing her home (active control group). Facets of weight stigma were assessed at pretest and posttest. Results: At posttest, the experimental group evidenced higher fat acceptance and social closeness to “Anne” compared with the active control group.

However, no group differences were found in attribution complexity, responsibility, and likeability of “Anne”. Conclusions: A brief body functionality intervention effectively reduced some, but not all, facets of weight stigma in women. This study provides evidence that functionality-focused interventions may hold promise as a means to reduce weight stigma.