Voices of Women Who Have Overcome Internalized Weight Bias Through Transformative Learning
Date
2020-06-13
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Abstract
This narrative inquiry seeks to understand potential solutions to the problem of internalized weight bias, which has negative repercussions for both physical and psychological well-being. As weight bias is learned, various learning theories can help explain how an individual may come to internalize weight bias. The theory of transformative learning from the adult learning field is a helpful framework for appreciating how someone can challenge and reject learned beliefs and biases. This study explores how one can change from experiencing internalized weight bias to instead embody size acceptance. Six women who identified as having rejected diet culture after once worrying about weight were invited to share their body stories. In keeping with the life history approach to narrative inquiry, participants were encouraged to recall significant moments from throughout their life, in multiple contexts, to understand their journey from weight concern to size acceptance. Participants shared how weight bias was learned incrementally, often in small comments overheard in family and peer contexts. During puberty, these implicit lessons on weight bias became personalized and activated. Eventually, the accumulated harms and frustrations of weight control prompted my research partners to embark on various transformative learning journeys to challenge their beliefs on weight and reframe the purpose of their bodies. These women slowly learned to relate to their bodies differently through multiple domains of learning, and expect continual engagement in this counter-cultural work. Their empowering stories speak to the dramatic and positive impact transformative learning can have in adult lives and have implications for those seeking to help others reduce internalized weight bias and prevent its dissemination to future generations.
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weight bias, weight bias internalization, size acceptance, transformative learning, narrative inquiry
Citation
Tingle, E. L. (2020). Voices of Women Who Have Overcome Internalized Weight Bias Through Transformative Learning (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.