An Evaluation of a Weight Sensitivity Training for Clinicians

Zoya A. Khan*, Caterina DeFazio and Elizabeth Claydon, School of Public Health, Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506

Field (Broad Category): Nursing & Public Health (Biological & Biochemical Sciences) 

Student’s Major: Biology 

Previous studies have found eating disorders (EDs) to be more common during pregnancy than previously believed, indicating a greater need for clinical understanding of ED symptomology and appropriate screening tools to be incorporated into prenatal and postpartum care. Pregnant women with a history of EDs or an active ED have a greater risk of giving birth to a child with lower birth weight, smaller head circumference, microcephaly, and small for gestational age. Furthermore, most Obstetrician-Gynecologists (OB/GYNs) indicated they were not confident in their previous training for ED treatment. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of implementing alternate treatment options for patients with EDs by clinicians. A sensitivity training was developed for clinicians that provided various clinical strategies that would be reasonable to integrate into their daily treatment of patients, particularly those with EDs and pregnancy. Clinicians were administered a questionnaire prior to undergoing the sensitivity training and after the completion of the sensitivity training. Data will be analyzed using JMP software. It is expected that a majority of clinicians will indicate that a patient’s history with an ED would be a critical factor in their care and treatment. It is also expected that clinicians’ responses will illustrate a need for additional clinical strategies to be developed for the treatment of patients with EDs, and the strategies provided in the sensitivity training could easily be integrated into their daily treatment of patients. 

Funding: Ophelia Fund, Rhode Island Foundation 

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: WVU's Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP) & accompanying HONR 297-level course