Evidence map›Paper›PMID 35706492›Full record

ReviewEClinicalMedicine2022

Influence and effects of weight stigmatisation in media: A systematic.

James Kite, Bo-Huei Huang, Yvonne Laird, Anne Grunseit, Bronwyn McGill, Kathryn Williams, Bill Bellew, Margaret Thomas

Abstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in EClinicalMedicine, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 29 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
29citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

29 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Weight stigma in the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods: A systematic review of women's perspectives.Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity · 2025
    Pooled it
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  12. Tackling Loneliness, Ineffective Social Support, and Mental Ill-Health Among People With Higher Weight.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2025
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

James KitePrevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Bo-Huei HuangCharles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Yvonne LairdPrevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Anne GrunseitPrevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Bronwyn McGillPrevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Kathryn WilliamsCharles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Bill BellewPrevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Margaret ThomasPrevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: The lack of a comprehensive understanding of the role of mass media in perpetuating weight stigma hinders policy formulation. We reviewed the influence of mass media on weight stigmatisation and the effectiveness of media-based interventions designed to prevent or reduce stigma. Methods: We conducted a systematic review across seven databases from inception to December 2021. Included studies assessed exposure to or impact of weight stigma in mass media or examined interventions to reduce stigma through media in populations 12+ years. We synthesised data narratively, categorising studies based on similarity in focus to produce a set of integrated findings. The systematic review is registered in PROSPERO (No. CRD42020176306). Findings: One-hundred-and-thirteen records were eligible for inclusion from 2402 identified; 95 examined the prevalence of stigmatising content in mass media and its impact on stigma. Weight stigma was prevalent across media types, with the dominant discourse viewing overweight and obesity as an individual responsibility and overlooking systemic factors. Exposure to stigmatising content was found to negatively influence attitudes towards people with overweight or obesity. Few studies considered methods of reducing stigma in the media, with only two testing media-based interventions; their results were promising but limited. Interpretation: Weight stigma in media content is prevalent and harmful, but there is little guidance on reducing it. Future research focus needs to shift from assessing prevalence and impacts to weight stigma interventions. Funding: None.

Indexed as

Mass mediaOverweight and obesitySystematic reviewWeight stigma

Identifiers

PMID35706492
PMCPMC9125650

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.