Weight stigma is a widespread and harmful issue that can negatively affect both physical and mental health. Unfortunately, it’s also commonly encountered in healthcare settings, leading to delayed treatment, poorer health outcomes, and reduced trust in the system.
At Kardinia Health, we’re committed to creating a more respectful, equitable patient experience. We’re proud to lead the Size Inclusive Approach to Health (SIAH) Project. A research initiative exploring how general practices like ours can reduce weight stigma and offer more compassionate, inclusive care.
By focusing on health behaviours and wellbeing rather than weight alone, the SIAH project aims to improve access to care and deliver better health outcomes across a range of conditions. This research represents an important step toward changing how healthcare is delivered-and felt-for people of all sizes.
This research project aims to better understand and reduce weight stigma in primary care settings. Through a structured educational program, the project assesses how training can shift healthcare professionals’ attitudes and awareness regarding weight stigma and bias. By using validated surveys before and after the program, researchers hope to measure changes in understanding, empathy, and care intentions. Ultimately, the goal is to create a more inclusive, respectful healthcare experience that supports the health of every person, regardless of body size.
To carry out this research, health professionals at our Geelong based medical centre; Kardinia Health, are invited to participate in an educational program exploring the impact of weight stigma in primary care and the benefits of adopting a size inclusive approach. Participants will complete a validated survey tool call the Fat Attitudes Assessment Toolkit (FAAT) before and after the program to help assess their attitudes and understanding of body size, health complexity, and patient care. The program includes evidence-based education, patient perspectives, and practical strategies to reduce bias. Following the sessions, healthcare workers will provide anonymous feedback about what they’ve learned and how they plan to apply the approach in practice. This structured method allows the project to measure meaningful shifts in awareness and supports the broader aim of improving care for people of all sizes.
We anticipate that this educational program will challenge some long-held beliefs among health professionals about weight while also providing practical tools to better understand the lived experiences of patients in larger bodies. This includes learning to actively listen, use patient-preferred language, and recognise the complex factors that influence weight and health. By fostering more inclusive, respectful care, the program aims to reduce barriers that often discourage people from accessing support and ultimately help to keep patients engaged in the healthcare system. Our broader goal is to raise medical standards by strengthening the practitioner-patient relationship and encouraging health-supporting behaviours for individuals of all sizes
Weight stigma in healthcare can lead to patients in larger bodies being overlooked, dismissed, or offered fewer treatment options, often resulting in poorer health outcomes or complete disengagement from the healthcare system. While awareness of weight stigma is growing, there is still much to learn. This project presents a valuable opportunity to work directly with healthcare professionals, helping to improve awareness and encourage meaningful behaviour change during appointments. At Kardinia Health, the project is also expected to strengthen clinical practice by promoting more inclusive, equitable care for all patients.
This project carries minimal risk for participants. All healthcare professionals will voluntarily complete anonymous online questionnaires at a time that suits them, with each survey taking approximately 15–30 minutes. If any participant experiences discomfort or inconvenience, they can exit the survey at any time without consequence. The educational seminar series is also voluntary and designed to be informative without requiring personal disclosure. As these sessions are similar to professional development programs that healthcare providers regularly attend, no adverse effects are anticipated. Should any support be needed, participants will be provided with clear information on how to access it.
The SIAH project is an important step toward reducing weight stigma in healthcare. As part of this work, Kardinia Health is preparing a presentation for the 11th Annual International Weight Stigma Conference, held this year on the Gold Coast, Australia. This respected event brings together experts across health, education, policy, and advocacy to drive change. Findings from the SIAH project will be shared after the conference, supporting our commitment to creating a more inclusive, respectful healthcare system for all body sizes.
Results from the SIAH project will be available following the conference as we continue to contribute to the global conversation and work towards a more respectful, inclusive, and equitable healthcare experience for all.
