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Summary Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder affecting 10–13% of reproductive‐aged women. Lifestyle management through diet and physical activity changes can improve reproductive, metabolic, and psychological comorbidities. The aim of this systematic review is to understand the barriers and facilitators to lifestyle changes from the perspective of people with PCOS and health care professionals (HCP) using the theoretical domains framework and capability, opportunity, motivation, and behavior model. Six databases were systematically searched for qualitative, quantitative, and mixed‐methods studies to 22nd September 2022. Quantitative outcomes from quantitative and mixed‐methods studies were narratively synthesized and all studies were thematically analyzed. Sixty‐eight papers met the eligibility criteria. HCP education on lifestyle management in PCOS was viewed by all to be inadequate, impacting the quality of care and health outcomes. Lifestyle advice delivered by a multidisciplinary team, including dietitians, was identified as a key component for change. All agreed that there was a need for individualized and PCOS‐specific lifestyle advice. Weight stigma was identified as negatively impacting both those in larger and smaller bodies with PCOS, reducing the quality of care and affecting self‐perception and mental health. People with PCOS perceived that lifestyle management was overly focused on weight loss and fertility, independent of their own personal motivations and goals. Systemic changes, including increasing HCP education on lifestyle management and multidisciplinary collaboration, focusing on lifestyle advice that meets individual needs, and reducing the use of weight‐centric care are necessary for long‐term sustainable changes and improvements in health outcomes in people with PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to determine the efficacy of interventions aimed at reducing weight bias in healthcare students, and to explore factors that may impact intervention success. A systematic review and random‐effects meta‐analyses were conducted by including studies that examined the efficacy of weight bias reduction interventions for healthcare students. Of the 3463 journal articles and dissertations screened, 67 studies (within 64 records) met inclusion criteria, with 35 studies included in the meta‐analyses (explicit = 35, implicit [and explicit] = 10) and 32 studies included in the narrative synthesis (explicit = 34, implicit [and explicit] = 3). Weight bias interventions had a small but positive impact, g = −0.31 (95% CI = −0.43 to −0.19, p < 0.001), in reducing students' explicit weight bias but there was no intervention effect on implicit weight bias, g = −0.12 (95% CI = −0.26 to 0.02, p = 0.105). There was considerable heterogeneity in the pooled effect for explicit bias (I2 = 74.28, Q = 132.21, df = 34, p < 0.001). All subgroup comparisons were not significant (p > 0.05) and were unable to explain the observed heterogeneity. Narrative synthesis supported meta‐analytic findings. The small but significant reduction of explicit weight bias encourages the continued testing of interventions, irrespective of variation in individual intervention components. Contrarily, reductions in implicit weight bias may only be possible from a large societal shift in negative beliefs and attitudes held towards people living in larger bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Perceptions and biases influence how we interact with and experience the world, including in professional roles as researchers. Weight bias, defined as negative attitudes or perceptions towards people that have large bodies, can contribute to weight stigma and discrimination leading to negative health and social consequences. Weight bias is experienced by people living with obesity in media, health care, education, employment and social settings. In research settings, there is potential for weight bias to impact various aspects of qualitative research including the participant‐researcher dynamic in interviews. However, evidence‐based strategies to reduce weight bias in qualitative research interviews have yet to be identified. We discuss how weight bias may influence research interviews and identify several considerations and strategies for researchers to minimize the impact of weight bias. Strategies include practicing reflexivity, planning and conducting interviews in ways that support rapport building, using inclusive language, and considering participatory methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Women in the preconception, pregnant, or postpartum period are susceptible to weight stigma, particularly due to the risk of excess weight gain during the reproductive life period and the negative effects of stigma on the health of both the mother and the child. Identifying the drivers and facilitators of weight stigma will help guide focused weight stigma prevention interventions. This systematic review aimed to identify the drivers and facilitators of weight stigma among preconception, pregnant, and postpartum women. In May 2022, Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and the Maternity and Infant Care Database were searched for peer‐reviewed articles published since 2010 using search terms weight AND stigma AND preconception, OR pregnant, OR postpartum. Of the 1724 articles identified, 34 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in a narrative synthesis. Women reported facing insensitive language, misconceptions about obesity across all settings, and inappropriate media representation. The unavailability of appropriate equipment at facilities was reported by both women and health professionals. Our findings indicate that a rigorous effort by all stakeholders is necessary to promote regulatory, legal, and educational initiatives designed to reduce weight stigma and discrimination against women in the reproductive period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Weight stigma is associated with poor mental health correlates in cross‐sectional research. Researchers are increasingly using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) methods, collecting comprehensive within‐person data to understand the temporal nature of weight stigma and its biopsychosocial correlates. Aim: To systematically review EMA studies on the effect of weight stigma on biopsychosocial correlates and integrate the findings. Method: PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, Medline Complete, and Web of Science were searched and studies were doubled screened (H.B. and X.P.G.). Results: Twelve studies (N = 615) met our inclusion criteria. For both between‐ and within‐subject effects, experienced and internalized weight stigmas were associated with negative correlates/outcomes (e.g., higher disordered eating and lower positive mood). However, studies differed in the correlate measures assessed, EMA methods used, and participant instructions provided. Given these inconsistencies, comparison across studies was difficult, and findings could not be reliably integrated. Conclusions: Consistent with previous research, studies from this review suggest weight stigma leads to adverse outcomes. EMA has the potential to overcome many of the limitations present in cross‐sectional research on weight stigma and provide more ecologically valid and reliable results. We argue for a collaborative data‐sharing consortium with standardized EMA methodologies, so researchers worldwide can contribute to and make use of a large, collective dataset on weight stigma and health correlates (see osf.io/s5ru6/). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Weight stigma, defined as pervasive misconceptions and stereotypes associated with higher body weight, is both a social determinant of health and a human rights issue. It is imperative to consider how weight stigma may be impeding health promotion efforts on a global scale. The World Obesity Federation (WOF) convened a global working group of practitioners, researchers, policymakers, youth advocates, and individuals with lived experience of obesity to consider the ways that global obesity narratives may contribute to weight stigma. Specifically, the working group focused on how overall obesity narratives, food and physical activity narratives, and scientific and public‐facing language may contribute to weight stigma. The impact of weight stigma across the lifespan was also considered. Taking a global perspective, nine recommendations resulted from this work for global health research and health promotion efforts that can help to reduce harmful obesity narratives, both inside and outside health contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Weight stigma research is largely focused on quantifiable outcomes with inadequate representation of the perspectives of those that are affected by it. This study offers a comprehensive systematic review and synthesis of weight stigma experienced in healthcare settings, from the perspective of patients living with obesity. A total of 1340 studies was screened, of which 32 were included in the final synthesis. Thematic synthesis generated three overarching analytical themes: (1) verbal and non‐verbal communication of stigma, (2) weight stigma impacts the provision of care, and (3) weight stigma and systemic barriers to healthcare. The first theme relates to the communication of weight stigma perceived by patients within patient–provider interactions. The second theme describes the patients' perceptions of how weight stigma impacts upon care provision. The third theme highlighted the perceived systemic barriers faced by patients when negotiating the healthcare system. Patient suggestions to reduce weight stigma in healthcare settings are also presented. Weight stigma experienced within interpersonal interactions migrates to the provision of care, mediates gaining equitable access to services, and perpetuates a poor systemic infrastructure to support the needs of patients with obesity. A non‐collaborative approach to practice and treatment renders patients feeling they have no control over their own healthcare requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research on obesity has shown that stigma often accompanies obesity and impacts many life domains. No previous research has systematically reviewed published literature about the prevalence and the nature of perceived weight discrimination in individuals with obesity. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to fill that gap. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted without time limits using the databases Medline, ISI Web of Knowledge and the Cochrane Library. Meta-analyses were performed using random effect models. Observational studies pertaining to (i) prevalence estimates and (ii) forms of perceived weight discrimination among individuals with obesity were included. Results: Of 4393 citations retrieved, nine citations retrieved, nine studies met inclusion criteria. Pooled prevalence was 19.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) 11.7 to 29.8%) for individuals with class I obesity (Body mass index [BMI] = 30-35 kgm-2) and 41.8% (95% CI 36.9 to 46.9%) for individuals with more extreme obesity (BMI>35 kgm-2). Findings from nationally representative US samples revealed higher prevalence estimates in individuals with higher BMI values (BMI>35 kgm-2) and in women. Conclusions: The results provide evidence that perceptions of weight discrimination by individuals with obesity were common, and its negative consequences are highly relevant issues within society and need to be the focus of potential interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]