This study aims to share and understand the experiences of individuals who are seeking or undergoing fertility related care who also have larger bodies. We know weight stigma occurs in relation to fertility, and infertility may also elicit feelings of stigma and shame. This study will try and capture the intersect between both of these, with the goal of gathering person-informed directives to improve care and experience. 

Team: T. Nagpal (University of Alberta), A. Alberga (Concordia University), M. Cote (Concordia University), S. Nutter (University of Victoria), K. Adamo (University of Ottawa), J-P. Baillargeon (University of Sherbrooke), E. Brennand (University of Calgary), A. Daniel (University of Alberta), N. Heslehurst (Newcastle University), H. Piccinini-Vallis (Dalhousie University)

Funding: SSHRC Insight Development Grant

We will be working with Obesity Canada and Fallout Media to develop a toolkit that will include scenario/simulation based education videos on weight stigma in pregnancy for medical students and residents, and a self-reflection guide. This toolkit will be co-developed with patient representatives with lived experience of weight stigma in prenatal care.  

Team: T. Nagpal (University of Alberta), R. Yeung (University of Alberta), T. Sajwani (Edmonton Weight Management Centre), N. Pearce (Obesity Canada)

Funding: WCHRI Innovation Grant

In collaboration with Obesity Canada, we are going to be doing an online photovoice project to gather positive images and stories of pregnancy experiences and representation of obesity during pregnancy. Some images will also be made available for use in the Obesity Canada image bank which showcases positive images of living with obesity, like individuals engaging in physical activity, socializing, and recieving high quality care.   

Team: T. Nagpal (University of Alberta), T. Sajwani (Edmonton Weight Management Centre), N. Pearce (Obesity Canada), I. Patton (Obesity Canada), M. Davenport (University of Alberta), S. Nutter (University of Victoria)

Funding: Diabetes, Obesity, Nutrition Scientific Network Seed Grant

This exciting international collaboration brings together research teams from Canada, Germany and The UK, along with several international representatives, to explore weight stigma across the life course of women, its relationship with critical markers of well-being and lifestyle behaviours, and associations with key social determinants such as immigration, gender, socioeconomic status, and disability. 

Team: Applicant: Taniya Nagpal (Canada)

Co-Directors: Shelina Visram (UK), Claudia Luck-Sikorski (Germany)

PI's: Taniya Nagpal (Canada), Shelina Visram (UK), Claudia Luck-Sikorski (Germany)

Co-Applicants: Angela Alberga (Canada), Nicola Heslehurst (UK), Elizabeth Evans (UK), Judith Rankin (UK), Ruth Graham (UK), Mark Rubin (UK)

Cooperation Partners: Ximena Ramos-Salas (Bias 180), Lisa Schaffer (Obesity Canada), Obesity Association Germany, Sarah Lebrocq (All About Obesity), Nicola Ruff (Obesity UK), Emilie Combet (Association for the Study of Obesity)

Team Members: Geoff Ball (Canada), Sara Kirk (Canada), Shelly Russell-Mayhew (Canada), Tasneem Sajwani (Canada), Melanie Bahlke (Germany), Andreas Herdt (Germany), Rose Lotte (Germany), Friedrich Schorb (Germany)

International Team Members: Angela Incollingo Rodriguez (USA), Briony Hill (Australia), Rebecca Puhl (USA), World Obesity Federation, European Association for the Study of Obesity 

Funding: Open Research Area 8, SSHRC

In collaboration with Ananta Dance Academy, we are using photovoice methods to learn about the experiences of adult dancers learning a classical South Asian dance form at an unconventional age. We want to challenge the stigma around when we can learn new forms of physical activities, including diverse dance forms!

Team: T. Nagpal (University of Alberta), P. Shah (University of Alberta)

Funding: President’s Grant for the Creative and Performing Arts

We are working on a series of scoping reviews examining the impact of obesity amongst women in the armed forces considering conditions such as infertility, PCOS, and dysmenorrhea and effects of pharmaceutical care options. 

Team: T. Nagpal (University of Alberta), K. Adamo (University of Ottawa), K. Semeniuk (University of Ottawa), J. Brown (Obesity Canada), I. Patton (Obesity Canada)

Funding: Joint Federal Research Funding for Military Personnel and Veterans