Volume 55, Issue 2 pp. 262-268
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Is there prejudice against obese persons among health professionals? A sample of student nurses and registered nurses

Hacı Ömer Yılmaz

Corresponding Author

Hacı Ömer Yılmaz

Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Science, Gümüşhane University, Gümüşhane, Turkey

Correspondence Hacı Ömer Yilmaz, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Science, Gümüşhane University, Gümüşhane 29000, Turkey. Email: [email protected]

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Nurcan Yabancı Ayhan

Nurcan Yabancı Ayhan

Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Science, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey

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First published: 30 January 2019
Citations: 21

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to assess whether there is prejudice toward obese persons among student nurses and registered nurses.

Design and Method

A total of 379 participants were included (190 student nurses, 189 registered nurses). The Fat Phobia Scale and Belief About Obese Persons Scale were used to determine the prejudice.

Findings

Registered nurses were found to have more negative prejudices toward obese persons than those of student nurses. These prejudices were determined to be influenced by the nurses' body mass index and having an obese person in the family.

Practical Implications

Both groups had negative prejudices toward obese persons, there was a higher level of prejudice among the registered nurses. These prejudices can have a negative impact on healthcare practices.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

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