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Table 2 Support for policy actions among participants from the general public and the eating disorders field

From: Setting policy priorities to address eating disorders and weight stigma: views from the field of eating disorders and the US general public

  

Percent (%) of participants who support policy*

Item number

Policy actions

Eating disorders field

General public

 

School-based initiatives

  

1

Schools should conduct screening for eating disorders.

76.7

52.5

2

Schools should have anti-bullying policies that protect students from being bullied about their weight.

96.1

83.4

3

School-based health curriculum should include content aimed at preventing eating disorders.

95.3

77.3

4

Schools should measure students’ height/weight for the purpose of reporting to families their child's weight status.

22.1

44.2

5

Schools should measure students’ height and weight to monitor population changes over time.

21.6

29.7

6

School sports coaches should receive training about the prevention and early identification of eating disorders.

98.5

70.8

 

Weight stigma and discrimination

  

7

Existing civil rights laws should include body weight to protect people from weight discrimination.

74.3

50.7

8

It should be illegal for an employer to refuse to hire a qualified person because of his/her body weight.

84.9

69.2

9

The government should have laws in place to protect people from weight discrimination in the workplace.

88.8

70.6

10

Existing anti-bullying laws should be modified to include protections for youth who are bullied about their weight.

94.6

76.8

11

Campaigns or interventions that address obesity should avoid content that stigmatizes overweight people.

89.4

61.5

 

Healthcare

  

12

Insurance companies should be required to reimburse for eating disorder treatment.

98.6

51.5

13

Insurance companies should be required to reimburse for obesity treatment.

84.5

52.4

14

Restrictions should be placed on elective, cosmetic surgery for minors, except when medically recommended.

84.7

70.5

15

Healthcare providers should be trained on the prevention and early identification of eating disorders.

99.6

79.8

16

Dentists should be trained to screen for signs and symptoms of eating disorders.

95.6

64.6

17

Health care providers should receive sensitivity training to prevent weight stigma in their clinical practice.

97.8

67

 

Weight Control Products

  

18

Weight loss claims about diet products and weight loss programs should be regulated by the government.

81.7

58

19

Selling over-the-counter diet pills and laxatives to minors should be restricted by the government.

85.6

64.9

20

Selling muscle enhancers to minors (e.g., creatine, protein powders) should be restricted by the government.

75.8

63.9

 

Media

  

21

Magazines targeting readers under 18 years of age should be prohibited from advertising weight loss products.

89.8

51.9

22

The media should be required to include disclaimers for photographs of models that have been digitally altered.

91.4

67.3

23

The use of very underweight fashion models should be restricted by the government.

71.1

42.7

  1. *Percentages indicate participants who "Somewhat Supported" or "Definitely Supported" each policy action.