Our Research

TOPICS:

Pediatric obesity, weight stigma, mental health, body image, weight management, healthy behaviours, physical activity, sedentary behaviour

SETTINGS:

Family/ interpersonal relationships, healthcare, education, public health, public policy

METHODS:

Qualitative (focus groups, interviews), quantitative (surveys, physiological and psychological measurements)

STUDIES:

Original research, behavioural interventions, secondary analyses, reviews of literature

POPULATIONS:

Children, adolescents, and adults

Ongoing Research Projects

Research projects led by Dr. Alberga as a Principal Investigator and trainees in her lab:

  • Attitudes and beliefs about weight and health among kinesiology and psychology students

  • Unintended consequences of participating in pediatric obesity interventions

    • First do no harm: Addressing the link between eating disorders, obesity, and weight bias

  • Teen ACCELERATION: ACtivity, smoking Cessation, healthy Eating and aLcohol intERvention & motivATION  

  • Pediatric Obesity Management in Canada: Current Attitudes and Practices of Health Care Providers Towards Pharmacotherapy and Bariatric Surgery in Youth

  • Attitudes and beliefs about people with obesity, causes of obesity and public policies among a representative sample of Canadians 

  • Conversation Cards for Pregnancy (PregnancyCards)

Research projects where Dr. Alberga is a Co-Investigator, collaborating with others on these projects: 

  • Ready for pregnancy and told to lose weight: Exploring the intersect between weight and infertility stigma (PI: Taniya Nagpal) 

  • An international and intersectional exploration of weight stigma across the lifecourse of women (PI: Taniya Nagpal) 

  • Au-delà de l'efficacité, l'appel à la peur est-il prometteur pour réduire la consommation des boissons sucrées? (PI: Ariane Bélanger-Gravel) 

  • Étude exploratoire des facteurs psychosociaux associés à l’usage de médicaments injectables pour la perte de poids (PI : Marilou Côté) 

  • Equity at Every Size: Developing a National Weight Stigma Strategy (PI: Sarah Nutter) 

  • Assessing the usability and acceptability of iCANPlate, a mobile dietary self-monitoring tool that aligns with Canada's Food Guide: A multi-methods study. (PI: Tamara Cohen) 

  • Reducing attrition in pediatric weight management: A Randomized Controlled Trial (PI: Geoff Ball) 

Past Research Projects

Research projects led by Dr. Alberga as a Principal Investigator and trainees in her lab: 

  • Evaluation of the “No size fits all” public health educational tool  

  • A new methodology to measure weight bias and stigma  

  • Social Media: What are the effects on the health of its users?

Research projects where Dr. Alberga is a Co-Investigator, collaborating with others on these projects: 

  • What is in a name? The impact of framing obesity as a disease on the stigmatization of people with obesity (PI: Shelly Russell-Mayhew) 

  • Trying to fix lapses in goal pursuit through compensatory behaviours: Does it work? (PI: Lisa Kakinami) 

  • CIHR Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) Mentorship Chair in Innovative Clinical Trials (PI: Simon Bacon) 

  • Comment mieux développer et évaluer des interventions comportementales basées sur les habitudes de vie (PI: Simon Bacon) 

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Legend: graduate students working with Dr. Alberga

Publications in the last 3 years:

Lucibello, K.M., Goldfield, G., Alberga, A.S., Leatherdale, S.T., Patte, K.A. Exploring the association between internalized weight stigma and mental health among Canadian adolescents. Pediatric Obesity 2024. 

Goldfield, G. S., Cameron, J. D., Sigal, R. J., Kenny, G.P., Prud’homme, D., Ngu, M., Alberga, A. S., Doucette, S., Goldfield, D. B., Tulloch, H., Thai, H., Simas, K. R., & Walsh, J. (2024). The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and health-related quality of life in youth with obesity. Physiological Reports, 2024. 

Côté M., Forouhar V., Edache I.Y. and Alberga A.S. Weight Bias among Canadians: Associations with Sociodemographics, BMI and Body Image Constructs. Social Science & Medicine, 2024. 

Wilson, O., Nutter, S., Russell-Mayhew, S., Ellard, J.H., Alberga, A.S. & MacInnis, C.C. Weighty words: Commonly used vs. perceived socially acceptable terminology among samples of physicians, obesity specialists, and the general public. Journal of Communication in Healthcare, 2023.  

Sedemedes, K., Knäuper, B., Sadikaj, G., Yuan, T. Y., Wrosch, C., Santosa, S., Alberga, A.S. and Kakinami, L. Compensatory health motivations and behaviors scale: Development, evaluation, psychometric properties and a preliminary validation. Appetite 2023.  

Forouhar, V., Ramos-Salas, X. and Alberga, A.S. Weight Bias Internalization and Beliefs about the Causes of Obesity Among the Canadian Public. BMC Public Health 2023;23: 1621. 

Farnesi, B-C., Kaffash, K., Cohen, T. and Alberga, A.S. A qualitative exploration on the needs of health care providers working with adolescents who are undergoing bariatric surgery. Obesity Pillars 2023:6. 

Ben-Porat, T., Alberga, A.S, Audet, M-C., Belleville, S., Cohen, T.R., Garneau, PY, Lavoie, K.L., Marion, P., Mellah, S., Pescarus, R., Rahme, E., Santosa, S., Studer, A-S., Vuckovic, D., Woods, R., Yousefi, R., Bacon, S.L. Understanding the impact of radical changes in diet and the gut microbiota on brain function and structure: rationale and design of the EMBRACE study. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases 2023: S1550-7289(23)00115-6. 

Wang, Y.N, Heidl, A.J., Angeles, P.M., Farnesi, B-C, Alberga, A.S and Cohen, T.R. Assessment of patient education materials for adolescent bariatric surgery candidates: An environmental scan. Patient Education & Counseling (PEC)- Innovation 2023:2. 

Levy, M., Forouhar, V. Edache, I.Y., and Alberga, A.S. Predictors of Support for Anti-Weight Discrimination Policies in a Representative Sample of Canadian Adults. Frontiers in Public Health 2023 (Accepted in press). 

Ball, G.D., O’Neil, M.G., Noor, R., Alberga, A.S., Azar, R., Buchholz, A., Enright, M., Geller, J., Ho, J., Holt, N.L., Lebel, T., Rosychuk, R.J., Tarride, E. and Zenlea, I. A multi-centre, randomized, 12-month, parallel-group, feasibility study to assess the acceptability and preliminary impact of family navigation plus usual care versus usual care on attrition in managing pediatric obesity: A study protocol. Pilot and Feasibility Studies 2023 (Accepted in press). 

  • Nagpal, T.S., Ramos-Salas, X., Vallis, M., Piccinini-Vallis, Helena, Alberga, A.S., Bell, R.C., da Silva, D.F., Davenport, M.H., Gaudet, L., Incollingo Rodriguez, A.C., Liu, R.H., Myre, M., Nerenberg, K., Nutter, S., Russell-Mayhew, S., Souza, S.C.S., Vilhan C. and Adamo, K.B. Exploring weight bias internalization in pregnancy. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2022;22. 

    Alberga, A.S., Edache, I.Y., Sigal, R.J., von Ranson, K.M., Russell-Mayhew, S., Kenny, G.P., Doucette, S., Prud’homme, D., Hadjiyannakis, S., Cameron, J., and Goldfield, G.S. Effects of the HEARTY exercise randomized controlled trial on disordered eating behaviours in adolescents with obesity. Obesity Science & Practice 2022. 

    Kirk, S.F.L., Forhan, M., Yusuf, J., Chance, A., Burke, K., Blinn, N., Quirke, S., Ramos-Salas, X., Alberga, A.S. and Russell-Mayhew, S. Mapping changes in the obesity stigma discourse through Obesity Canada: A Content Analysis. AIMS Public Health 2022;9(1):41-52. 

    Levy, M., Kakinami, L and Alberga, A.S. The relationship between weight bias internalization and healthy and unhealthy weight control behaviours. Eating and Weight Disorders- Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity 2022; 27(5):1621-1632. 

    Levy, M., Nguyen, A., Kakinami, L, Alberga, A.S. Weight bias internalization: Relationships with mental health, physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Stigma and Health 2021. 

    Zaroubi, L., Samaan, T., and Alberga, A.S. Predictors of weight bias in health science students and fitness professionals: A scoping review. Journal of Obesity 2021. 

    Goldfield, G.S., Cameron, J., Sigal, R., Kenny, G.P., Holcik, M., Prud’homme, D., Guerin, E., Alberga, A.S., D’Angiulli, A., Tremblay, M.S., Mougharbel, F., and Walsh, J. Screen time is independently associated with Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Youth with Obesity. Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism 2021;46(9):1083-1090. 

    Edache, I.Y., Kakinami, L., and Alberga, A.S. Weight bias and support of public health policies. Canadian Journal of Public Health 2021;112(4):758-765. 

    Wharton, S., Lau, D.C.W., Vallis, M., Sharma, A.M., Biertho, L., Campbell-Scherer, D., Adamo, K., Alberga, A. et al. Obesity in Adults: A clinical practice guideline. Canadian Medical Association Journal 2020 August 4;192: E875-91. 

    Szwimer, E., Mougharbel, F., Goldfield, G.S. and Alberga, A.S. The Association between weight-based teasing from peers and family in childhood and depressive symptoms in childhood and adulthood: A systematic review. Current Obesity Reports 2020; 9:15-29. 

    Walsh, J., Bonafiglia, J., Goldfield, G.S., Sigal, R., Kenny, G., Doucette, S., Hadjiyannakis, S., Alberga, A.S., Prud'homme, D., Gurd, B. Interindividual variability and individual responses to exercise training in adolescents with obesity. Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism 2020;45:45-54. 

    MacInnis, C., Alberga, A.S., Nutter, S., Ellard, J.H., Russell-Mayhew, S. Regarding obesity as a disease is associated with lower weight bias among physicians: A cross-sectional survey study. Stigma and Health 2020; 5:114-122.

    Alberga, A.S., Nutter, S., MacInnis, C., Ellard, J., Russell-Mayhew, S. Examining weight bias among practicing Canadian family physicians. Obesity Facts 2019; 12:632-638. 

    Kakon, G.A., Hadjiyannakis, S., Sigal, R.J., Doucette, S., Goldfield, G.S., Kenny, G.P., Prud’homme, D., Buchholz, A., Lamb, M. and Alberga, A.S. Edmonton Obesity Staging System for Pediatrics and quality of life in adolescents with obesity Obesity Science & Practice 2019;5:449-458. 

    Alberga, A.S., Sigal, R.J., Sweet, S.N., Doucette, S., Russell-Mayhew, S., Tulloch, H., Kenny, G.P., Prud’homme, D., Hadjiyannakis, S., and Goldfield, G.S. Understanding low adherence to an exercise program for adolescents with obesity: the HEARTY trial. Obesity Science & Practice 2019; 5:437-448. 

    Nutter, S., Ireland, A., Alberga, A.S., Brun, I., Lefebvre, D., Hayden, K.A., Russell-Mayhew, S. Weight bias in educational settings: A systematic review. Current Obesity Reports 2019;8:185-200. 

    Alberga, A.S.Edache, I.Y., Forhan, M. and Russell-Mayhew, S. Weight bias and healthcare utilization: A scoping review. Primary Health Care Research & Development 2019;20;e116. 

    Alberga, A.S., Withnell, S.J. and von Ranson, K. Fitspiration and thinspiration: A comparison across three social networking sites. Journal of Eating Disorders 2018;6:39. 

    Walsh, J., D'Angiulli, A., Cameron, J., Sigal, R.J., Kenny, G.P., Holcik, M., Doucette, S., Alberga, A.S., Prud'homme, D., Hadjiyannakis, S., Gunnell, K., Goldfield, G.S. Changes in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Are Associated with Improvements in Diabetes Risk Factors after Exercise Training in Adolescents with Obesity: the HEARTY randomized controlled trial. Neural Plasticity 2018. 

    Alberga, A.S., McLaren, L., Russell-Mayhew, S., von Ranson, K.M. Canadian Senate Report on Obesity: Focusing on Individual Behaviours versus Social Determinants of Health May Promote Weight Stigma. Journal of Obesity 2018;1-7. 

    Nutter, S., Alberga, A.S., MacInnis, C., Ellard, J.H., Russell-Mayhew, S. Framing obesity a disease: Indirect effects of affect and controllability beliefs on weight bias. International Journal of Obesity 2018;42(10):1804-1811. 

    Goldfield, G.S., Kenny, G.P., Prud’homme, D., Holcik, M., Alberga, A.S., Fahnstock, M., Cameron, J., Doucette, S., Hadjiyannakis, S., Tulloch, H., Tremblay, M., Walsh, J., Guerin, E., Gunnell, K, D’Angiulli, A. and Sigal, R.J. Effects of Aerobic Training, Resistance Training, or Both on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Adolescents with Obesity: the HEARTY randomized controlled trial. Physiology & Behaviour 2018;191:138-145. 

    Tulloch, H., Heenan, A., Sweet, S., Goldfield, G.S., Kenny, G.P., Alberga, A.S., Sigal, R.J. Depressive symptoms, perceived stress, self-efficacy and outcome expectations predict fitness among adolescents with obesity. Journal of Health Psychology 2017;1: 1359105317734039. 

    Ramos-Salas, X., Alberga, A.S., Cameron, E., Estey, L., Forhan, M., Kirk, S.F.L., Russell-Mayhew, S., Sharma, A.M. Addressing Weight Bias and Obesity Discrimination: Moving beyond raising awareness to creating change. Obesity Reviews 2017;18(11):1323-1335. 

    Lacroix, E., Alberga, A.S., Russell-Mayhew, S., McLaren, L., von Ranson, K.M. A Systematic Review of the Characteristics and Psychometric Properties of Self-Report Questionnaires to Assess Weight Bias. Obesity Facts 2017;10:223–237.  

    Russell-Mayhew, S., Murray, K., Ireland, A., Nutter, S., Alberga, A.S., Gabriele, T., Peat, G., Gereluk, D. Reflecting and informing a wellness culture: The development of a comprehensive school health course in a Bachelor of Education program. Journal of Educational Thought 2017; 50:156-181. 

    Orsso, C., Mackenzie, M., Alberga, A.S., Sharma, A., Richer, L., Prado, C., Haqq, A.M. The use of magnetic resonance imaging to characterize abnormal body composition. Metabolism - Clinical and Experimental 2017; 67-75.  

    Goldfield, G.S., Kenny, G.P., Alberga, A.S., Tulloch, H., Doucette, S., Cameron, J.D., Sigal, R.J. Effects of aerobic or resistance training or both on health-related quality of life in youth with obesity: the HEARTY trial. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism 2017; 42:361-370. 

    Alberga, A.S., Prud’homme, D., Sigal, R.J., Goldfield, G.S., Hadjiyannakis, S., Gougeon, R., Phillips, P., Malcolm, J., Wells, G.A., Doucette, S., Ma, J., and Kenny, G.P. Does exercise training affect resting metabolic rate in adolescents with obesity? Applied Physiology, Nutrition & Metabolism 2017; 42:15-22. 

  • Kirk, S., Ramos-Salas, X. Alberga, A.S. and Russell-Mayhew, S. (2020). Canadian Adult Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines: Reducing Weight Bias, Stigma and Discrimination in Obesity Management, Practice and Policy. https://obesitycanada.ca/guidelines/weightbias

    Alberga, A.S. and Russell-Mayhew, S. (2016). Promoting physical activity for all shapes and sizes. Fat Pedagogy Reader, Peter Lang Publishing Inc., New York, U.S.A. **The book won the 2016 American Educational Studies Association Critics’ Choice Award

  • Côté, M., Carrière, K., and Alberga, A.S. A call for more research: The unintended psychosocial consequences of promoting weight loss medications for children and adolescents. Childhood Obesity; 2024 (accepted, in press). 

    Alberga, A.S. Sacco, S. and Booij, L. Overlooked outcomes in Pediatric Obesity Management- Unintended Consequences. JAMA Pediatrics; 2023 Oct 1;177(10):997-998.  

    Nagpal, T.S., Ramos-Salas, X., Vallis, M., Piccinini-Vallis, H., Adamo, K.B., Alberga, A.S., Bell, R.C., da Silva, D.F., Davenport, M.H., Gaudet, L., Incollingo Rodriguez, A.C., Liu, R., Myre, M., Nerenberg, K., Nutter, S., Russell-Mayhew, S., Sousa, S.C.S., Vilhan, C. Coming soon: An internalized weight bias assessment scale for use during pregnancy. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2021, 29(5):788-789. doi: 10.1002/oby.23169. 

    Alberga, A.S., Fortier, M., Bean, C. and Freedhoff, Y. Youth get a D+ grade in physical activity: How can we change public health messages to help reverse this trend? Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism 2019;44(5):567-570. 

    Burke, L.E.C-A., Hall, J., de Paiva, W.A., Alberga, A., Mu, G.M., Leigh, J.P. and Vazquez, M.S. Postdoctoral scholars in a faculty of education: Navigating liminal spaces and marginal identities. Arts and Humanities in Higher Education 2017; 1-20.  

Published Abstracts at Conferences

Legend: *Presenting author(s); graduate students working with Dr. Alberga

Abstracts presented in 2020

Farnesi, C.*, Alberga, A.S., Cohen, T., Legault, L., and Erdstein, J. The stability of adolescents’ interest in undergoing bariatric surgery. Accepted as a poster to the 8th conference on Recent Advances in the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity Bridging Silos. October 26-28, 2020 Virtual conference. Note: Selected as a rapid-fire presentation.

Farnesi, C.*, Alberga, A.S., Cohen, T., Legault, L., and Erdstein, J. Describing weight management attempts among adolescents living with severe obesity referred to a tertiary care center. Accepted as a poster to the 8th conference on Recent Advances in the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity Bridging Silos. October 26-28, 2020 Virtual conference.

Baluyot, T.*, Farnesi, C., Forouhar, V., Angelopoulos, L., Cohen, T., Erdstein, J., Legault, L. and Alberga, A.S. Physical activity levels, enjoyment and impact of weight on quality of life in adolescents with severe obesity. Accepted as a poster to the 8th conference on Recent Advances in the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity Bridging Silos. October 26-28, 2020 Virtual conference.

Forouhar, V.*, Farnesi, C., Baluyot, T.C., Angelopoulos, L., Alberga, A.S., Erdstein, J., Legault, L. and Cohen, T. The relationship between weight bias internalization, physical activity and eating habits in adolescents living with severe obesity. Accepted as a poster to the 8th conference on Recent Advances in the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity Bridging Silos. October 26-28, 2020 Virtual conference.

  • Levy, M.*, Nguyen, A., Kakinami, L., and Alberga, A.S. Weight bias internalization: Sex differences and relationships with physical and mental health. Poster presentation at the 6th Annual PERFORM Centre Research Conference on May 10, 2019 at the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall at Concordia University, Montreal, QC.

    Alberga, A.S., Cameron, E., Forhan, M., Kirk, S., Patton, I.*, Ramos-Salas, X.*, Russell-Mayhew, S., Sharma, A.M. Making space for weight bias- The process of including weight bias in Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of obesity in adults. Workshop at the 26th European Congress on Obesity April 28-May 1, 2019 in Glasgow, Scotland.

    Alberga, A.S.* Weight bias internalization: How does it affect healthy behaviors? Keynote weight bias mini-review at the 6th Canadian Obesity Summit from April 23-26, 2019 at the Westin Ottawa, ON.

    Alberga, A.S.*, Cameron, E.*, Forhan, M.*, Kirk, S., McPherson, A.*, Patton, I.*, Ramos-Salas, X.*, Russell-Mayhew, S., Sharma, A.M. Person-centered obesity Care: Practical guidelines and strategies for clinicians/ educators/ policy makers. Workshop at the 6th Canadian Obesity Summit from April 23-26, 2019 at the Westin Ottawa, ON.

    Farnesi, B.-C.*, Alberga, A.S., Erdstein, J., and Legault, L. Sex differences in mental health issues among adolescents living with severe obesity. Poster presentation at the 6th Canadian Obesity Summit from April 23-26, 2019 at the Westin Ottawa, ON.

    Erdstein, J., Farnesi, B.-C.*, Alberga, A.S., Legault, L. and the CEASO team. The relationship between vitamin D, calcium and high sensitivity C reactive protein in adolescents living with severe obesity. Poster presentation at the 6th Canadian Obesity Summit from April 23-26, 2019 at the Westin Ottawa, ON.

    Lamb, M.*, Alberga, A.S., Valois, D., Buchholz, A., Obeid, N., Henderson, K.A., Flament, M., Goldfield, G.S. Effects of familial and peer weight teasing on screen time in youth. Poster presentation at the 6th Canadian Obesity Summit from April 23-26, 2019 at the Westin Ottawa, ON.

    Edache, I.Y.*, Kakinami, L., and Alberga, A.S. Weight bias: a predictor of supporting public health policies. Oral presentation at the 6th Canadian Obesity Summit from April 23-26, 2019 at the Westin Ottawa, ON.

    Levy, M.*, Kakinami, L., Wadhawan, N., Szwimer, E., and Alberga, A.S. Weight bias internalization: Sex differences and relationship to physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Poster presentation at the 6th Canadian Obesity Summit from April 23-26, 2019 at the Westin Ottawa, ON.

    Szwimer, E.*, Mougharbel, F., Goldfield, G. and Alberga, A.S. The association between weight-based teasing from peers and family in childhood and depression in childhood and adulthood: A systematic review. Oral presentation at the 6th Canadian Obesity Summit from April 23-26, 2019 at the Westin Ottawa, ON.

    Farnesi, B.C.*, Erdstein, M., Martinez A., Fortin, J., O’Donohue, M., Brodovich, A., Legault, L., Alberga, A.S., Erdstein, J. Caractérisation des patients visitant une clinique de soins tertiaires pour adolescents atteints d’obésité sévère. Poster presented at Réunion scientifique annuelle de la société Québécoise de lipidologie, de nutrition, et de métabolisme (SQLNM) du Réseau de recherche en santé cardiométabolique, diabète et obésité (CMDO) et du Congres Colossus, Magog, Quebec from February 6-8, 2019.

    Edache, I.Y.*, Kakinami, L., and Alberga, A.S. Weight bias: a predictor of supporting public health policies. Oral presentation in Symposium #2 at the 6th Annual Conference of the Centre for Clinical Research in Health on January 25, 2019 at Concordia University, Montreal, QC.

    Edache, I.Y.*, Alberga, A.S., Sigal, R.J., von Ranson, K.M., Russell-Mayhew, S., Kenny, G.P., Doucette, S., Prud’homme, D., Hadjiyannakis, S., Cameron, , and Goldfield, G.S. Effects of aerobic training, resistance training, or both on eating attitudes and behaviors in adolescents with obesity: the HEARTY trial. Poster presentation at the 6th Annual Conference of the Centre for Clinical Research in Health on January 25, 2019 at Concordia University, Montreal, QC.

    Levy, M.*, Kakinami, L., Wadhawan, N., Szwimer, E., and Alberga, A.S. Weight bias internalization: Sex differences and relationship to physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Poster presentation at the 6th Annual Conference of the Centre for Clinical Research in Health on January 25, 2019 at Concordia University, Montreal, QC.

    Edache, I.Y.*, Alberga, A.S., Sigal, R.J., von Ranson, K.M., Russell-Mayhew, S., Kenny, G.P., Doucette, S., Prud’homme, D., Hadjiyannakis, S., Cameron, , and Goldfield, G.S. Effects of aerobic training, resistance training, or both on eating attitudes and behaviors in adolescents with obesity: the HEARTY trial. Poster presentation at the 7th Conference on Recent Advances in the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity Beyond the Clinic from October 25-27, 2018 at the Westin Calgary, Calgary, AB.

    Farnesi, B.-C., Erdstein, M., Martinez, A.-M., Fortin, J., O’Donohue, M., Brodovich, A., Legault, L., Alberga, A.S., Erdstein, J. Characterization of patients presenting to a tertiary care clinic for adolescents living with severe obesity. Submitted as a poster presentation to the 7th Conference on Recent Advances in the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity Beyond the Clinic from October 25-27, 2018 at the Westin Calgary, Calgary, AB.

    Edache, I.*, Alberga, A.S., Forhan, M. and Russell-Mayhew, S. Weight bias and healthcare utilization: A scoping review. Oral presentation at the 6th Canadian Obesity Student Meeting from June 20-22, 2018 at Western University, London, ON.

    Kakon, G.A.*, Hadjiyannakis, S., Sigal, R.J., Kenny, G.P., Goldfield, G.S., Prud’homme, D., Doucette, S. and Alberga, A.S. The Edmonton Obesity Staging System for Pediatrics (EOSS-p), Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Quality of Life in Adolescents with Obesity. Oral presentation at the 6th Canadian Obesity Student Meeting from June 20-22, 2018 at Western University, London, ON.

    Zaroubi, L.* and Alberga, A.S. Predictors of weight bias in health science students and fitness professionals: A scoping review. Oral presentation at the 6th Canadian Obesity Student Meeting from June 20-22, 2018 at Western University, London, ON.

    Szwimer, E.*, Mougharbel, F., Goldfield, G. and Alberga, A.S. The differences in frequency of weight-based teasing in childhood according to sex and source: A systematic review. Oral presentation at the 6th Canadian Obesity Student Meeting from June 20-22, 2018 at Western University, London, ON.

    Szwimer, E.*, Marchione, S., Kakinami, L. and Alberga, A.S. Weight bias internalization: Sex differences and relationships with mental health. Poster presentation at the Canadian Public Health Association Conference Public Health 2018 from May 28-31, 2018 at the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, Montreal, QC. Note: Selected as a top-rated abstract nominated for the Dr. John Hastings Student Award.

    Edache, I.*, Sigal, R.J., Kenny, G.P., Goldfield, G.S., Prud’homme, D., Hadjiyannakis, S., Doucette, S. and Alberga, A.S. The relationship between metabolic syndrome, eating behaviors and psychosocial factors: A HEARTY study. Poster presentation at the PERFORM conference on May 17, 2018 at Concordia University, Montreal, QC.

    Szwimer, E.*, Marchione, S., Kakinami, L. and Alberga, A.S. Weight bias internalization: Sex differences and relationships with mental health. Poster presentation at the PERFORM conference on May 17, 2018 at Concordia University, Montreal, QC.

    Cameron, E.*, Alberga, A.S.*, Kirk, S., Russell-Mayhew, S., Ramos-Salas, X., Forhan, M. Promoting Body Inclusive Policies and Practices. Pre-conference workshop at the Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada conference Rock Solid Foundations Energizing Futures May 4-6, 2017, Memorial University of Newfoundland, NFL, Canada.

    Alberga, A.S.* and Cameron, E.* Physical Activity Inclusivity: How to Promote Movement for EveryBODY. Practical and experiential session at the Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada Rock Solid Foundations Energizing Futures conference May 4-6, 2017, Memorial University of Newfoundland, NFL, Canada.

    Lacroix, E.*, Alberga, A., Russell-Mayhew, S., McLaren, L., & von Ranson, K.M. (2017, June). Weight Bias: People-First Language in Self-Report Questionnaires. Poster presentation at the International Conference on Eating Disorders June 8-10,2017, Prague, Czech Republic.

    Nutter, S.*, Alberga, A. S.*, Russell-Mayhew, S., MacInnis, C., & Ellard, J. H. What’s in a name? The influence of framing obesity a disease on weight bias. Oral presentation at the 5th Canadian Obesity Summit, April 26-29, 2017, Banff, AB, Canada.

    Nutter, S.*, Williamson, M.*, Russell-Mayhew, S., Alberga, A.S., MacInnis, C., & Ellard, J. H. (2017, April). Food, eating, and weight: Language discourses in the obesity field. Pecha Kucha and poster presentation at the 5th Canadian Obesity Summit, April 26-29, 2017, Banff, AB, Canada.

    Russell-Mayhew, S.*, Murray, K., Ireland, A.*, Nutter, S.*, Alberga, A.S.*, Gabriele, T., Peat, G., Gereluk, D. The development of a comprehensive school health course for teacher education. Concurrent oral presentation (25-min) at the Shaping the Future conference January 26-28, 2017, Delta Lodge Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada.

    Russell-Mayhew, S.*, Alberga, A.S.*, Ireland, A.*, Nutter, S.* The F word: Why body weight has no place in schools. Experiential workshop (50-min) presented at the Shaping the Future conference January 26-28, 2017, Delta Lodge Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada.

    Ramos-Salas, X.*, Cameron, E., Alberga, A.S., Forhan, M., Kirk, S., Russell-Mayhew, S. Moving towards consensus on weight bias reduction messages and strategies. Oral presentation at the 6th Conference on Recent Advances in the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity- Understanding the interplay between Physical and Mental Health October 24-26, 2016, Ottawa, ON, Canada.

    Russell-Mayhew, S.*, Dimitropoulos, G.*, Sesma-Vazquez, M.*, Alberga, A.S., von Ranson, K.M. Embodied Stigma: Addressing Weight Bias Across the Weight Spectrum. Workshop at The 22nd International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions World Congress (IACAPAP) September 18-22, 2016, Calgary, AB, Canada.

    Russell-Mayhew, S.*, Kassan, A.*, Nutter, S.*, Sesma-Vazquez, M.*, Arthur, N., Alberga, A., Lund, D.E., Williams, E. Fighting weight stigma: “Bodies at Risk”. Academic Perspectives Symposium at the 22nd International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions World Congress (IACAPAP) September 18-22, 2016, Calgary, AB, Canada.

    Lacroix, E.*, Alberga, A.S., Russell-Mayhew, S., McLaren, L., von Ranson, K. Weight bias: a systematic review of self-report measures. Poster presentation at The 22nd International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions World Congress (IACAPAP) September 18-22, 2016, Calgary, AB, Canada.

    Orsso, C.E.*, Mackenzie, M., Prado, C.M., Alberga, A.S., Haqq, A.M. Abnormal body composition phenotype in children with Prader-Willi Syndrome. Poster presentation at the International PWS meeting July 20-24, 2016, Toronto, ON, Canada.

    Kirk, S.*, Cameron, E., Forhan, M., Russell-Mayhew, S., Alberga, A.S.*, Ramos-Salas, X. EveryBODY Matters: Addressing weight stigma in public health research, practice and policy. Symposium at Public Health 2016 June 13-16, 2016, Toronto, ON, Canada.

    Kirk, S.*, Cameron, E., Forhan, M., Russell-Mayhew, S., Alberga, A.S.*, Ramos-Salas, X.* EveryBODY Matters: Addressing weight stigma in research, practice and policy. Symposium at the European Obesity Summit June 1-4, 2016, Gothenburg, Sweden.

    Alberga, A.S.*, Sigal, R.J., Kenny, G.P, Prud’homme, D., Goldfield, G.S. Promoting Exercise for Kids and Teens: Let’s NOT Talk About Weight. Oral session in the highlighted symposium ‘Physical Activity, Sports or Fitness: Fighting Fatness or Finding Enjoyment? The Youth Dilemma’ at the 2016 ACSM Annual Meeting, World Congress on Exercise is Medicine® and World Congress on the Basic Science of Energy Balance May 31-June 4, 2016, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

    Heenan, A.*, Sweet, S. N., Goldfield, G. S, Kenny, G. P., Sigal, R. J., Alberga, A., Tulloch, H.  (2016). Self-efficacy and outcome expectancies predict fitness in obese youth: The HEARTY trial. Poster presentation at the 1st Annual International Behavioural Trials Network (IBTN) Conference May 19-21, 2016, Montreal, QC, Canada.

    Kirk, S., Cameron, E.*, Forhan, M.*, Russell-Mayhew, S., Alberga, A.S.*, Ramos-Salas, X.* EveryBODY Matters: Addressing weight stigma in research, practice and policy. Symposium at the International Conference on Obesity May 1-4, 2016, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

    Cameron, E.*, Alberga, A.S.*, Watkins, P.*, Borduas, C.* Fat Pedagogy: Challenging weight stigma through critical education. Symposium at the International Weight Stigma Conference April 29-30, 2016, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

    Heenan, A.*, Sweet, S. N., Goldfield, G. S, Kenny, G. P., Sigal, R. J., Alberga, A., Tulloch, H.  (2016). The HEARTY Trial: Autonomy Support and Self-determined Motivation Predict Fitness in Obese Youth. Poster presented at the 37th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine March 30-April 2, 2016, Washington, DC, U.S.A.

    Alberga, A.S.*, Russell-Mayhew, S.*, Grace, A.*, Ireland, A.* Practical strategies for promoting positive school environments for EveryBODY. Experiential workshop presented at the Shaping the Future conference January 28-30, 2016, Delta Lodge Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada.

    Russell-Mayhew, S.*, Alberga, A.S.*, Ireland, A.*, Tkachuk, M., Murray, K., Peat, G., Gabriele, T. Weight bias in educational settings. Research session presented at the Shaping the Future conference January 28-30, 2016, Delta Lodge Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada.

    Tkachuk, M.*, Russell-Mayhew, S.*, Alberga, A.S.*, Ireland, A.*, Murray, K., Peat, G., Gabriele, T. Comprehensive School Health: A teacher preparation perspective. Accepted as a research session at the Shaping the Future conference January 28-30, 2016, Delta Lodge Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada.

    Russell-Mayhew, S., Williams, E.P.*, Ireland, A., Alberga, A.S., Brun, I., Tkachuk, M., Sesma-Vazquez, M. Discourses related to responsibility of mental health in schools. Poster presentation at the Shaping the Future conference January 28-30, 2016, Delta Lodge Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada.

    Cameron, J.*, Sigal, R.J., Kenny, P., Alberga, A.S., Phillips, P., Maras, D., Borghese, M., Murray, M., and Goldfield, G. Increased Caloric Intake Mediates the Relationship between Screen Time and Body Mass Index in Overweight/Obese Adolescents Primarily by Increased Carbohydrate Intake: The HEARTY Trial. Poster presentation (T-P-3199) at The Obesity Week conference (November 2-7, 2015) in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

    Nutter, S.*, Russell-Mayhew, S., Alberga, A.S., Arthur, N., Kassan, A., Lund, D., Sesma Vazquez, M. and Williams, E. Referring to “Fat/Obese” Persons in Research and Practice: Watch Your Language. Poster presentation at the 3rd Annual Weight Stigma Conference (September 18-19, 2015) at Reykjavik University, Iceland.

    Alberga, A.S.*, Russell-Mayhew, S., von Ranson, K.M., McLaren, L. and Sharma, A.M. Results of the Weight Bias Summit: A Canadian Perspective. Oral presentation at the 3rd Annual Weight Stigma Conference (September 18-19, 2015) at Reykjavik University, Iceland.

    Cameron, E., Russell-Mayhew, S., Alberga, A.S.*, Nutter, S.* and Haghighat, B. Good Teaching for EveryBODY: Highlighting Current and Future Research in Education-Based Weight Stigma. Symposium at the International Weight Stigma Conference (September 18-19, 2015) in Reykjavik, Iceland.

    Alberga, A.*, Russell-Mayhew, S., Ireland, A., Tkachuk, M., Peat, G., Murray, K. and Gabriele, T. Piloting professional development in health education for BEd students: A call to action. Oral presentation at the 2015 International Conference on Health Promoting Universities & Colleges (June 22-25, 2015) at the University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus in Kelowna, British Columbia.

    Russell-Mayhew, S., Tkachuk, M.*, Ireland, A. and Alberga, A.S. Canadian BEd curricula: Are Health and Wellness Topics Addressed in Teacher Training Programs? Poster presentation at the 2015 International Conference on Health Promoting Universities & Colleges (June 22-25, 2015) at the University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus in Kelowna, British Columbia.

    Frappier, A.*, Alberga, A.S., Sigal, R.J., Kenny, G.P., Doucette, S. and Prud’homme, D. Effects of aerobic training, resistance training, or both in obese adolescents with the metabolic syndrome: the HEARTY randomized controlled trial. Poster presentation at the European Congress on Obesity (May 6-9, 2015) in Prague, Czech Republic.

    Alberga, A.S.*, Russell-Mayhew, S., von Ranson, K.M., McLaren, L. and Sharma, A.M. Finding Ways to Reduce Weight Bias in Education, Healthcare and Public Policy: Results of the Weight Bias Summit. Oral presentation at the Canadian Obesity Network Summit (April 28-May 2, 2015) in Toronto, Canada. Canadian Journal of Diabetes; April 2015, Vol. 39, S15.

    Goldfield, G.S.*, Kenny, G.P., Alberga, A.S., Hadjiyannakis, S., Phillips, P., Tulloch, H., Doucette, S., Cameron, J.D. and Sigal, R.J. Effects of Aerobic Training, Resistance Training, or Both on Health-Related Quality of Life in Obese Adolescents: the HEARTY trial. Canadian Journal of Diabetes; 2013, Vol. 39, S18. Oral presentation at the Canadian Obesity Network- Canadian Obesity Summit (April 28-May 2, 2015) in Toronto, Canada.

    Russell-Mayhew, S., Alberga, A.S.*, Ireland, A. and Nutter, S. Weight bias: what do we know and where can we go from here? Canadian Journal of Diabetes; April 2015, Vol. 39, S15. Workshop at the Canadian Obesity Network- Canadian Obesity Summit (April 28-May 2, 2015) in Toronto, Canada.

    Russell-Mayhew, S.*, Alberga, A.S. and Mu, M. “Perceptions of Weight and Weight Change Behaviors: Indicators for School Mental Health?” as part of the team symposium “Targeting CORE Aspects of Mental Health Promotion (SY022). Drefs, M.A., Strong, T., Wilcox, G., Alberga, A.S., Climie, E., Koh, K., Lailey, L., Russell-Mayhew, S., Takla Khella, A., Zwiers, M. Oral Presentation at the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Conference (February 17-20, 2015) in Orlando Florida, USA.

    Russell-Mayhew, S., Williams, E.*, Alberga, A., Gabriele, T., Murray, K., Peat, G., Sunada, J., and Tkachuk, M. Piloting Professional Development for Pre-Service Teachers in the Areas of Health and Weight. Poster presentation at the Shaping the Future Conference, Kananaskis, AB, January 30, 2015.

    Russell-Mayhew, S., Ireland, A.*, and Alberga, A.S. Health and wellness curriculum in teacher training programs. Poster presentation at the Shaping the Future 2015 Conference, Kananaskis, AB, January 30, 2015.