The Importance of Perceived Body-Inclusiveness among Physically Active Women in Larger Bodies

Weight-Inclusive Physical Activity: A Systematic Evaluation of Virtual Resources

BACKGROUND

Higher-weight individuals report lower rates of physical activity behavior and poorer physical activity experiences compared with their normative-weight counterparts, likely owing to the pervasiveness of weight stigma in physical activity contexts. Employing weight-inclusive strategies may improve physical activity outcomes, though little is known about the practical application of weight-inclusive principles in physical activity contexts. Furthermore, given the prominence of virtual methods of information dissemination, exploring online weight-inclusive resources is valuable.

METHODS

Using Google, Instagram, and snowball searches, a virtual environmental scan was conducted to collect publicly available weight-inclusive physical activity resources. Two independent coders applied an a priori codebook to all eligible resources to evaluate the application of weight-inclusive principles.

RESULTS

N = 80 weight-inclusive physical activity resources were identified, offering a range of educational materials (40%) and/or provision of physical activity services (76.3%). Virtual resources generally adhered to weight-inclusive principles by showcasing diversity in body size, using weight-inclusive language, and centering physical activity that honors the body's signals and cues; however, some also included weight-normative content. Provisional physical activity resources primarily targeted diverse-bodied end users, offered a range of physical activity types (eg, yoga, weight training, and dance), were membership-based, and offered asynchronous access.

CONCLUSIONS

This study utilizes a systematic approach to collect and evaluate virtual, publicly available, and weight-inclusive physical activity resources. Virtual physical activity resources that adhere to weight-inclusive principles may be important for increasing accessible physical activity opportunities for higher-weight individuals.

Experiences of Size Inclusive Physical Activity Settings Among Women With Larger Bodies

Purpose: Size inclusive physical activity settings may help mitigate the impact of physical activity-related weight stigma. In this interpretive description study, we aimed to understand how women with larger bodies experienced size inclusive physical activity settings. The study was informed by a settings-based approach to health promotion. Method: We interviewed nine women with larger bodies who participated in size inclusive physical activity and used an inductive approach to analyze the data. Findings: At the individual level, size inclusion was experienced as an enhancement of well-being, self-worth, and belonging. This was closely tied to the interpersonal level, whereby weight-neutral practices used by fitness instructors and lack of judgment from other exercisers contributed to experiences of size inclusion. At the organizational level, the organization's culture, marketing, programs, and physical spaces could enhance or limit inclusion and participation. However, weight stigma was prevalent in women's experiences outside the physical activity setting. Conclusion: We provide recommendations to improve size inclusion in physical activity settings.

"Negative Things That Kids Should Never Have to Hear": Exploring Women's Histories of Weight Stigma in Physical Activity

Scholars have proposed that cumulative experiences of anti-fat bias and stigma contribute to detrimental physical activity experiences, as well as social and health inequities. The objective of this research was to explore how enacted weight stigma experiences are constructed and impact women's physical activity experiences long term. Eighteen women who identified as having had negative experiences related to their body weight, shape, or size in physical activity contexts participated in semistructured interviews. Using reflexive thematic analysis, four themes were identified: (a) norms of body belonging, (b) distancing from an active identity, (c) at war with the body, and (d) acts of resistance. These findings deepen understandings of how historical experiences of weight stigma can have longstanding consequences on physical activity cognitions, emotions, and behaviors. To equitably promote physical activity, it is imperative that movement spaces (e.g., fitness centers, sport organizations) both target anti-fat stigma and adopt weight-inclusive principles.