I have been working hard on a paper to submit for a conference in Hawaii that is coming up in November. I am happy to announce that it was accepted and will be published! This also means that I will be attending the ITAA (International Textiles and Apparel Association) conference!!!! Weeeeeee!!
I have also been working hard on a grant to get funding for a research project. A fantastic researcher names Dr. R Puhl who works at Yale had agreed to be my sponsor for the grant. Very very exciting- She is brilliant. Here is my proposal for the grant- if you have never seen one this is what it looks like! There is a lot of work that goes into planning a proposal for funding and I may not even get the grant. I will keep you posted!
This is not riveting my any means but will give you an idea of the direction I am going with my responsibilities as a researcher (40% of my job description is doing this, 40% is lecturing and teaching, the other 20% is community service- yeah they are going to pay me to volunteer in the community- so epic).
WVU and WVU ADVANCE Sponsorship Program Application
Submitted by: Dr. Deborah Christel, PhD. Assistant Professor at West Virginia University
Sponsored by: Dr. Rebecca Puhl, PhD. Director of Research and Weight Stigma Initiatives at the
Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at Yale University
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to understand the types of barriers that individuals who are
obese (particularly women) face when trying to find clothes in their size. The study aims to
examine obese individuals’ experiences of weight bias and the ways in which they confront
weight bias when shopping for clothes. The average household spends $1,760 on clothing
annually and Women account for 70% of that spending (Cox, 2008). In addition, data from the
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2009–2010 indicates that more than onethird
of adults and almost 17% of youth are obese in the United States (Odgen, 2012). Thus, as
our spending on clothing increases and the average American increases in body size, it is
important to be aware of how weight bias is experienced in the retail and clothing industry, and
how this impacts obese individuals.
Very little work has examined weight bias in the retail environment (Almond, 2004), and
many questions remain regarding the nature and extent to which obese shoppers are more likely
to experience discrimination than average weight shoppers. Weight bias has been documented
more broadly in several decades of research, and found to be prevalent in multiple settings
including health care, athletic facilities, education and employment (Puhl & Heuer, 2009).
Recent estimates also indicate that the prevalence of weight discrimination has increased by 66%
in the past decade (Andreyeva, Puhl, Brownell, 2008), and is now on par with rates of racial
discrimination, especially among women (Puhl, Andreyeva, Brownell, 2008). The consequences
of weight bias can be incredibly detrimental. When individuals who are obese experience weight
bias, they have heightened risk for psychological consequences including depression, anxiety,
low self-esteem, poor body image and even suicidal acts and thoughts (see review by Puhl &
Heuer, 2009), as well as unhealthy behaviors that can reinforce weight gain and obesity (Puhl &
Heuer, 2010). In light of the widespread nature of weight bias in our society, it is likely that this
bias also extends to the retail-clothing environment, and may pose similar consequences for the
wellbeing of individuals who confront weight bias in this setting.
Given the limited research on weight bias in the clothing industry, it is important to
evaluate the barriers that individuals who are obese face when shopping for clothing, and the
ways in which weight bias may affect their experiences, emotional wellbeing, and body image.
Once these barriers are identified, these findings can be used to increase awareness in the apparel
industry and provide strategies to help promote a welcoming and positive environment for
shoppers of all sizes. To our knowledge, the proposed study will be the first systematic,
comprehensive assessment of experiences of weight bias and challenges with clothing for obese
women.
SPECIFIC OUTCOMES
The primary objective of the proposed research is to document and understand
experiences of weight bias and challenges with clothing for obese women. I will also examine
how these experiences are related to participants’ demographic characteristics, emotional
wellbeing, body image, and general weight-related attitudes. In addition, due to the lack of
research on this topic, I will be developing a questionnaire to assess weight bias experiences in
the apparel setting with guidance from the faculty sponsor, which can then be used by other
researchers in the field to advance study in this area.
These objectives will be accomplished through quantitative and qualitative questionnaires
administered through a secure (and anonymous) website survey. This will allow the researchers
to acquire a substantial amount of responses while also being able to collect demographics and
other important variables that individuals may not feel comfortable discussing in person.
This is an area of research that has yet to be explored extensively. Combining psychology,
social psychology and apparel design is a novel and informative approach to embark upon this
problem. The proposed study is groundbreaking and innovative, and has the potential to improve
the emotional wellbeing of obese women. The study will begin to reduce societal weight bias
toward obese persons in the apparel setting.
To accomplish the objectives of the proposed research, the following types of measures
will be implemented:
Primary Measures:
In collaboration with my faculty sponsor, we will develop a series of quantitative questions to
examine obese people's experiences of weight bias and perceived barriers with clothing and
shopping. These questions will help determine the nature and extent of their experiences as
related to interpersonal weight bias (e.g., rude salesclerks, snide remarks from other customers,
etc.) versus physical bias barriers (e.g., fitting rooms aren't large enough, clothes sizes not large
enough, can't find certain types of clothing for their size, etc.). Thus, questions will ask
participants about their experiences with rude salesclerks or snide remarks from other customers
when shopping for clothing, physical barriers related to being able to fit comfortably in dressing
rooms, and challenges finding flattering clothes in their size. Questions regarding participant’
feelings about size labels and vanity sizing will also be asked. (Vanity sizing refers to the
practice of clothing companies who put a smaller size label on a larger garment to make the
consumer think they are in fact a smaller size).
In addition, qualitative questions will be included as part of the survey to allow participants to
provide more detailed information and opinions about their experiences. Examples of questions
include the following:
What kinds of challenges do you face when trying to find clothes in your size?
Can you recall a time when you were treated badly because of your weight when shopping for
clothes? What happened in this situation?
What suggestions do you have for improving shopping experiences and reducing bias in retail
clothing settings?
Secondary Measures:
Participants will complete additional quantitative questionnaires including a self-report measure
of body image and self-esteem, internalization of weight bias, attitudes toward obese persons as
well as social physique anxiety and basic demographic information. All of these measures are
empirically validated, and will be used in conjunction with the primary measure to determine
correlations between experiences of shopping for clothing and participants’ demographic
characteristics, emotional wellbeing, and attitudes.
4
ANTICIAPTED BENEFITS
There are numerous benefits to the applicant’s career as well as to the university. As a
recent PhD graduate and a new tenure track assistant professor at West Virginia University,
developing a research foundation is critical. The grant will allow the University and applicant to
connect with an Ivy League research institution as well as create a foundation for a novel area of
research at WVU. Dr. Puhl has yet to see research directly examining the issue of weight bias
related to clothing. Conducting a comprehensive quantitative/qualitative survey with a large
online sample of obese persons would be novel, and could make a valuable contribution to the
field. The proposed research will also provide me with new opportunities to learn about survey
development and methodology, which I can then apply to future studies. In addition, I plan to
submit several papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals based on the findings of the
proposed research, as well as present the research findings at academic conferences. Dr. Puhl has
also invited me to present the findings to the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at Yale
University. Thus, I will have several opportunities to disseminate the research findings and
interact with experts in this field. I further anticipate that the proposed research would help build
a foundation for a broader research program for me in this area.
As stated on the previous page, the proposed research also has potential benefits for
obese persons, a stigmatized population in our society. The proposed research will give this
population a voice about their stigmatizing experiences and offer them opportunities to suggest
remedies for this problem. I also plan to disseminate the study findings to the apparel industry,
outlining specific suggestions for strategies to reduce weight bias in their setting.
PROPOSED SPONSOR CONTRIBUTION
The proposed sponsor is Dr. Rebecca Puhl. She is Director of Research and Weight
Stigma Initiatives at the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at Yale University where she is
also a Senior Research Scientist. Dr. Puhl is responsible for identifying and coordinating
research and policy efforts aimed at reducing weight bias.
Dr. Puhl has been studying weight bias for over a decade, and has published a range of
experimental studies, population-based studies, review papers, and chapters on this topic. Her
recent publications address the prevalence and origins of weight stigma, interventions to reduce
weight bias, and the impact of weight stigma on emotional and physical health. She has
presented on these topics to academic, professional, and community groups across the country,
and her research has received national and international media attention. Dr. Puhl serves on the
Council of The Obesity Society, and is an editor of the book Weight Bias: Nature, Extent, and
Remedies (Guilford Press, 2005). She also served as guest editor for a supplement issue in the
journal Obesity, entitled "Weight Bias: New Science on a Significant Social Problem".
Reference:
Rebecca M. Puhl, PhD. (n.d.). Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity — Home. Retrieved May
1, 2012, from http://yaleruddcenter.org/who_we_are.aspx?id=331
TRANSFORMATIVE MENTORING
Dr. Rebecca Puhl’s mentoring responsibilities will include guiding the faculty member
through a research project including the development of survey questions, interpretation of data,
and obtaining a large sample size of an underrepresented and discriminated population (obese
women). The collected data is intended to develop publishable research and to help build a
foundation for a broader research program for Dr. Puhl and the faculty member. Dr. Puhl has
experience in studying weight bias and the faculty member is an expert in studying the apparel
industry. The combined efforts and collaboration will greatly influence one another as well as
each researcher’s academic institutions.
COMMUNICATION PLAN
Communication between the sponsor and applicant will take place through several methods.
They will communicate through secure university provided email, telephone, as well as
scheduled Skype calls and personal meetings when necessary.
TIMELINE
-IRB Submission and Approval February 1, 2013
-Development of on-line questionnaire February 1, 2013.
-Create online survey design and URL March 1, 2013
-Recruitment and data collection from March 1, 2013 to July 1, 2013
-Data analysis September 1, 2013
-Written conclusions October 1, 2013
-Article abstracts written and submitted for publication by December 1, 2013
BUDGET
Budget Item Amount Sub-Total
Personnel
1 Project Director $40.74/hr plus fringe @
90 hours
4,547
Sponsor Contribution 5,000
Expenses for statistician/analyze data 300
$20/hour @ 15 hours
Total Personnel Expenses 9,847
2 Participant Compensation - Raffle $25
Amazon gift card for 300 participants (1
in 20 chance of winning)
325
Shipping cost of gift card 25
Total Participant Expenses 400
3 Communication
Publication costs: 5 journals @ $75/each 375
4 Equipment Expenses
Qualtrics data analysis subscription 500
Total Equipment Expenses 500
5 Travel Expenses
Domestic Travel (Transportation,
Accommodation, Meals
Airfare: 4 Domestic Trips Requiring
Travel
400 1,600
Overnight to mentor - US-Based Estimated
average for the 4 trips
Lodging 3 days 261 1,044
Meal Per Diem 153 612
Rental Car: 3 days each trip, four trips total 238 952
Gas 80 320
Westchester to New Haven CT = 50 miles
Pittsburgh to Morgantown = 77 miles
Economy car 30 miles/gallon
Total Travel Expenses 4,528
Total Request: $15,650
The primary expenses will include 1) Personnel compensation. I will spend an estimated 90
hours throughout the course of the project. With a pay rate of $40.75/hour @ 90 hours, this
equals $4,547. The sponsor will receive $5,000 for her contribution to the project. A statistician
will be paid to assist in cleaning and analyzing the data. With a pay rate of $20/hour and an
estimated of 15 hours, this equals $300. Total personnel expenses are $9,847. 2) Participant
compensation: this includes a drawing for a 1 in 20 chance of $25 Amazon Gift Card. With a
target enrollment for participation of 300 people, the total cost of gift cards equals $375. This
will also include cost of postage to ship the gift card to the participant, estimating $25 for
shipping. 3) Communication: Submitting abstracts to journals roughly cost between 30 and 75/
per journal. To reach a wide audience there is an estimated 475/ per journal @ 5 journals total,
this equals $375. 4) Equipment expenses are estimated at $500 for a Qualtrics subscription.
WVU currently has a subscription but the Division of Design & Merchandising, Davis College
of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design. 5) Lastly, travel expenses include airfare of four
domestic trips to and from Yale University, Connecticut and West Virginia University in
Morgantown, West Virginia. Lodging, food, car rental, and gas are estimated at $4,528.
References:
Almond, J. (2005, April 4). Obese shoppers more likely to experience discrimination. Science
News. Retrieved May 8, 2012, from http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-04/ruosm033105.
php
Andreyeva, T., Puhl, R.M., & Brownell, K.D (2008). Changes in Perceived Weight
Discrimination Among Americans, 1995-1996 through 2004-2006. Obesity, 16, 1129
–1134.
Cox, S. M. (2008, November 28). The Average Household Spent $1,760 on Clothes in 2007 --
Here's One Way to Cut Back | | AlterNet. Home | AlterNet. Retrieved May 8, 2012, from
http://www.alternet.org/story/109065/the_average_household_spent_$1,760_on_clothes_
in_2007_--_here's_one_way_to_cut_back/
Friedman, R. (2009). Rudd Brief Weight Bias. Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity — Home.
Retrieved May 8, 2012, from http://www.yaleruddcenter.org
7
Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Kit BK, Flegal KM. Prevalence of obesity in the United States, 2009–
2010. NCHS data brief, no 82. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics.
2012.
Puhl, R.M, & Heuer, C.A. (2009). The stigma of obesity: A review and update. Obesity, 17,
941-964.
Puhl, R.M., Andreyeva, T., & Brownell, K.D (2008). Perceptions of weight discrimination:
prevalence and comparison to race and gender discrimination in America. International
Journal of Obesity, 32, 992-1001.
Puhl, R.M., & Heuer, C.A. (2010). Obesity stigma: Important considerations for public health.
American Journal of Public Health, 100, 1019 - 1028.
