Exercise-Based Obesity Simulation and Weight Bias

Summary

This study examines whether an exercise-based simulation can reduce weight bias and improve professional skills among health professions students. Weight stigma in healthcare settings can negatively affect patient communication, clinical decision-making, and patient engagement in health-promoting behaviors.

In this randomized controlled trial, undergraduate health professions students were assigned to one of three groups: (1) a control group completing a communication module and light stretching, (2) an exercise-only group completing treadmill walking, or (3) an exercise group completing treadmill walking while wearing an obesity simulation suit designed to represent additional body weight. The simulation aimed to provide students with an experiential understanding of movement challenges associated with higher body weight.

Participants completed assessments at baseline, one week, and eight weeks after the intervention. Outcomes included measures of implicit and explicit weight bias, empathy, clinical decision-making using patient scenarios, professional behavioral intentions, and reflective learning.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a brief experiential intervention can reduce weight bias and improve competencies related to patient-centered and weight-inclusive care in health professions education.

Conditions

• Weight Bias
• Health Professions Education
• Implicit Bias

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Exercise with Obesity Simulation Suit

Participants completed the same 30-minute treadmill protocol as the exercise-only group while wearing an adjustable obesity simulation suit. The suit added approximately 20% of body mass to simulate increased body weight and movement constraints during exercise.

BEHAVIORAL

Exercise-only

Participants completed a 30-minute treadmill walking session consisting of a 5-minute warm-up (2.5 mph, 0% grade), 20-minute walk (2.5 mph, 6% grade), and 5-minute cool-down. Heart rate and perceived exertion were monitored to ensure moderate-intensity exercise.

BEHAVIORAL

Control

Participants completed a time-matched session consisting of a 10-minute professional communication micro-module (etiquette, active listening, teamwork; no obesity-related content) followed by approximately 20 minutes of low-intensity stretching. The session was designed to control for instructor attention and time without exposure to exercise or obesity simulation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Wisconsin, River Falls

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Gregory Ruegsegger · University of Wisconsin, River Falls

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

30 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-02-01

Primary Completion

2026-02-01

Completion

2026-02-01

Countries

• United States

Study Locations