Assessing Weight Stigma Interventions: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Wang C, Murley WD, Panda S, Stiver CA, Garell CL, Moin T, Crandall AK, Tomiyama AJ. Assessing Weight Stigma Interventions: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Current obesity reports. 2025 Apr 14; 14(1):35, DOI: 10.1007/s13679-025-00628-w.

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Abstract:

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The primary goals of this pre-registered systematic review were to critically evaluate the existing randomized controlled trials targeting weight stigma/bias and identify promising avenues for future research. RECENT FINDINGS: Prior systematic reviews have highlighted intervention strategies such as shifting causal attributions of obesity, evoking empathy, deploying weight-inclusive approaches, increasing education, and combining these strategies. Here, we provide an updated systematic review of weight stigma interventions. A systematic search was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines and performed in PubMed/Medline, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar until October 2024, yielding a final sample of 56 articles. In addition to previously established strategies, we identified several novel strategies, such as cognitive dissonance and connection building. Interventions can largely shift attitudinal outcomes, but future research should extend beyond attitude measures, assess weight bias over a longer term, and across more diverse populations.