NCT07430891

Exercise-Based Obesity Simulation and Weight Bias

Effects of Exercise-Based Obesity Simulation on Weight Bias and Clinical Decision-Making in Health Professions Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 107 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Wisconsin, River Falls · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 30 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study examines whether an exercise-based simulation can reduce weight bias and improve professional skills among health professions students. Weight stigma in healthcare settings can negatively affect patient communication, clinical decision-making, and patient engagement in health-promoting behaviors. In this randomized controlled trial, undergraduate health professions students were assigned to one of three groups: (1) a control group completing a communication module and light stretching, (2) an exercise-only group completing treadmill walking, or (3) an exercise group completing treadmill walking while wearing an obesity simulation suit designed to represent additional body weight. The simulation aimed to provide students with an experiential understanding of movement challenges associated with higher body weight. Participants completed assessments at baseline, one week, and eight weeks after the intervention. Outcomes included measures of implicit and explicit weight bias, empathy, clinical decision-making using patient scenarios, professional behavioral intentions, and reflective learning. The purpose of this study is to determine whether a brief experiential intervention can reduce weight bias and improve competencies related to patient-centered and weight-inclusive care in health professions education.

Detailed description

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the impact of an exercise-based obesity simulation on weight bias and professional competencies among undergraduate health professions students. Participants (N = 107) were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three conditions: (1) control (professional communication module and low-intensity stretching), (2) moderate-intensity treadmill exercise without simulation, or (3) treadmill exercise while wearing an adjustable obesity simulation suit representing approximately 20% additional body mass. The intervention consisted of a single 30-minute session. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 1-week follow-up, and 8-week follow-up. The primary outcome was change in implicit weight bias measured using the Weight Implicit Association Test. Secondary outcomes included explicit weight bias (Anti-Fat Attitudes Questionnaire; Fat Phobia Scale), empathy (Jefferson Scale of Empathy - Health Professions Student version), clinical decision-making using structured patient vignettes, behavioral intentions toward future patients, and structured reflective learning. Physiological and perceptual responses during the intervention (heart rate, perceived exertion, discomfort, and affective valence) were also recorded to examine associations between experiential intensity and learning outcomes. The study aims to evaluate whether a brief experiential educational intervention can reduce weight bias and improve empathy and clinical reasoning relevant to weight-inclusive care.

Conditions

• Weight Bias
• Health Professions Education
• Implicit Bias

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Exercise with Obesity Simulation Suit	Participants completed the same 30-minute treadmill protocol as the exercise-only group while wearing an adjustable obesity simulation suit. The suit added approximately 20% of body mass to simulate increased body weight and movement constraints during exercise.
BEHAVIORAL	Exercise-only	Participants completed a 30-minute treadmill walking session consisting of a 5-minute warm-up (2.5 mph, 0% grade), 20-minute walk (2.5 mph, 6% grade), and 5-minute cool-down. Heart rate and perceived exertion were monitored to ensure moderate-intensity exercise.
BEHAVIORAL	Control	Participants completed a time-matched session consisting of a 10-minute professional communication micro-module (etiquette, active listening, teamwork; no obesity-related content) followed by approximately 20 minutes of low-intensity stretching. The session was designed to control for instructor attention and time without exposure to exercise or obesity simulation.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-02-01
• Primary completion: 2026-02-01
• Completion: 2026-02-01
• First posted: 2026-02-24
• Last updated: 2026-02-27

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States