The perceived impact of weight bias among healthcare providers on the care of individuals with binge-eating disorder or atypical anorexia nervosa: a scoping review

Weight stigma in healthcare compromises the quality of care for individuals with binge-eating disorder (BED) or atypical anorexia nervosa (AAN). This scoping review explores the impact of weight bias on the treatment of individuals who do not manifest with a visibly underweight or anorexic body habitus by examining both the perspectives of the lived experiences of affected individuals and healthcare providers. Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search of MA Healthcare, Medline, PubMed, and ProQuest identified ten relevant studies, including eight journal articles and two doctoral dissertations. The findings reveal four themes: 1) negative self-image, 2) the intersectionality of weight stigma, 3) weight-neutral versus weight-centric care, and 4) disparities in healthcare access and quality. Both conscious and unconscious weight bias was linked to fewer treatment sessions and diminished trust in providers. The review highlights the need for further research to explore the long-term impact of weight bias on treatment outcomes, assess changes in healthcare provider attitudes, and develop evidence-based strategies to reduce stigma. Future directions include increasing diversity in study populations and implementing weight-inclusive policies to improve care for individuals with BED or AAN.