Personal factors associated with the attitudes of nurses towards patients with obesity: a literature review

Abstract

This literature review explores the association between body mass index and self-esteem in nurses, alongside their attitudes towards patients who have obesity. These variables have either previously been linked to weight bias, or with prejudice more generally, but findings in this context are inconclusive. Searches were conducted through Psychology Cross Search, PubMed, Web of Science, Proquest Allied Health Professionals and Google Scholar. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria and were tabulated and critiqued using appropriate appraisal tools. The literature covered a time span of over 30 years with the type and quality of study methodologies varying. Research was rarely underpinned by theory. As such, no consensus was reached in drawing together the findings but the direction of future research needed to address these issues is discussed. Further research should focus on developing the literature using an appropriate theoretical underpinning in order to better understand the research that has begun further afield.