From this subset of 118 responses, five themes were identified that indicated implicit weight stigma: negative language when speaking about weight in overweight patients (n = 41,

35%); focus on weight management to the detriment of other important considerations (n = 12, 10%); weight assumed to be individually controllable (n = 69, 58%); directive or prescriptive responses rather than collaborative (n = 96, learn more 81%); and complexity of weight management not recognised (n = 98, 83%). The first theme was illustrated by negative terms used about body weight: a patient who was overweight had a ‘weight issue/weight problem’ that ‘needed to be/must be/should be’ ‘managed/addressed’. The second theme was most evident in the case study of the patient in an aged care setting. Weight management was often mentioned for this patient with a reduced focus (in comparison to

the normal weight presentation) on other important factors such as social support. The third theme (assumed controllability of weight) was evident in that diet and/or exercise were almost the only weight management strategies mentioned. The fourth theme of directive communication was demonstrated in the choice of language such as ‘speak to them about weight management’ or ‘he should lose weight’. Finally, the fifth theme identified a lack of recognition of the complexity of weight management. Specifically, only three (3%) responses questioned BMI selleck kinase inhibitor as a measurement of adiposity or health, three (3%) mentioned weight management strategies other than diet or exercise (referral to GP, referral to naturopath, mood), and six (5%) responses considered the psychological sensitivity next of weight. This paper explored whether physiotherapists demonstrate weight stigma and whether this might negatively influence patient treatment. The total Anti-Fat Attitudes questionnaire scores indicated that physiotherapists, in line with studies on many other health professionals,1 demonstrate explicit weight stigma. The scores on the subscales provided more insight

into the nature of this stigma and its likely implications for behaviour towards patients who are overweight. The Dislike subscale had a relatively low score, however responses were notably high in answer to the question ‘If I were an employer, I might avoid hiring an overweight person’, suggesting that physiotherapists’ negative attitudes may result in discriminatory behaviours. In contrast, the quantitative responses to the case studies showed little evidence of discriminatory behaviours. In fact, responses to one question (feeling similar to a patient) indicated a greater liking of patients who were overweight. A similar effect is noticeable elsewhere in physiotherapists’ attitudes.28 This apparent contradiction is possibly explained by the ‘jolly fat stereotype’,40 which fits with the stereotype content model.