Investigating the Lived Experiences and Primary Healthcare of Higher-Weight Canadians: Novel Research Methods to Catalyze Change towards Health Equity

Weight stigma includes the negative attitudes, stereotypes, and discriminatory behaviours towards people with higher weights. Weight stigma is both common and socially acceptable in Canada and contributes to inequity across the lifespan. These inequities negatively impact the health of higher-weight people, who experience poorer physical and psychological health due to weight stigma. It also impacts the quality and quantity of healthcare that higher-weight people receive, via dehumanizing language and stereotyped assumptions. The impact of weight stigma on health and healthcare is further compounded by the health consequences associated with other forms of stigma. The objective of this research is to better understand the impact of weight stigma on the health and healthcare of diverse people in Canada. This aim will be achieved by surveying and interviewing diverse people with higher weights about their experiences with weight stigma at any point in their lives. Additionally, existing health data will be examined to better understand real-life impacts of weight stigma in primary healthcare. This research will contribute to changes in healthcare services and policy, leading to greater health equity in Canada.