Web Based Intervention to Reduce Weight Bias Among Dietitians

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Weight bias in dietitians is prevalent and may affect patient care. The investigators conducted a randomized controlled trial to test if explicit and implicit bias could be influenced by a short, 20 minute educational video.

Detailed Description
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This randomized controlled trial studied the effect of three different videos on weight bias in a nationally representative sample of dietitians. The intervention group (I) watched a video about the etiology of obesity, reasons for weight regain, and how to talk to patients about weight. The first control group (C1) received information about the role of the environment and individual behavior in weight gain, and tools to help patients control their weight. The second control group (C2) received a weight neutral video about the role of dieticians in society. Bias measures were taken before and just after watching the video, and again one month later.

Official Title
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Web Based Intervention to Reduce Weight Bias Among Dietitians

Conditions
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Intervention Video (I), Weight Control Video (C1), Weight Neutral Control Video (C2)

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Online Educational Videos


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Any dietitian in the Clinical Dietitian Registry Database. Exclusion Criteria: None
Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Intervention (I)<br>This arm was randomized to a 20 min video that emphasized information about factors other than individual behaviors that influence weight, weight loss and ability to maintain weight. It also indirectly addressed weight bias by explaining how to have conversation about weight and health with a patient with obesity that is free of biases. | Other: Online Educational Videos<br>* The videos were developed by the researchers based on a prior study to test if specific information about obesity and weight control influence weight bias.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Weight Control (C1)<br>This arm was randomized to a 20 min video that emphasized the controllable aspects of weight and gave dietitians an overview of a tool to help plan and monitor weight loss. | Other: Online Educational Videos<br>* The videos were developed by the researchers based on a prior study to test if specific information about obesity and weight control influence weight bias.<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Weight Neutral Control (C2)<br>The arm was randomized to a 20 min video about the role dietitians play in society, that made no mention of weight or obesity. | Other: Online Educational Videos<br>* The videos were developed by the researchers based on a prior study to test if specific information about obesity and weight control influence weight bias.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Blame explicit bias | Blame subscore of Anti-fat Attitudes Test, higher score means more bias | Change from pre to immediately post intervention (1 hour) | 
| Change in Blame explicit bias | Blame subscore of Anti-fat Attitudes Test, higher score means more bias | Change from pre to 1 month post intervention | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Social explicit bias | Social subscore of Anti-fat Attitudes Test, higher score means more bias | Change from pre to immediately post intervention (1 hour) | 
| Change in Social explicit bias | Social subscore of Anti-fat Attitudes Test, higher score means more bias | Change from pre to 1 month post intervention | 
| Change in Physical explicit bias | Physical subscore of Anti-fat Attitudes Test, higher score means more bias | Change from pre to immediately post intervention (1 hour) | 
| Change in Physical explicit bias | Physical subscore of Anti-fat Attitudes Test, higher score means more bias | Change from pre to 1 month post intervention | 
| Change in Implicit Bias | Category of bias from Weight Implicit Association Test; Categories 1-4, higher category means more bias | Change from pre to immediately post intervention (1 hour) | 
| Change in Implicit Bias | Category of bias from Weight Implicit Association Test; Categories 1-4, higher category means more bias | Change from pre to 1 month post intervention |