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PRESENTER: Christy Greenleaf, PhD

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BRIEF SUMMARY
Clinical exercise physiologists play an important role in shaping how individuals experience physical activity. This webinar will examine psychosocial factors that influence exercise experiences among people of all sizes, including the impact of weight-related stigma. Participants will learn evidence-informed strategies to foster size-inclusive, supportive, and enjoyable exercise environments that enhance motivation, confidence, engagement, and long-term physical activity participation.
  
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Describe psychosocial factors that influence exercise experiences and physical activity participation among individuals across the weight spectrum.
2. Explain how weight-related stigma can affect motivation, enjoyment, self-efficacy, and engagement in physical activity.
3. Identify evidence-informed strategies for fostering size-inclusive and supportive exercise experiences.
4. Apply person-centered approaches that promote autonomy, competence, and relatedness to support long-term physical activity participation.
   

ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Dr. Greenleaf’s research focuses on psychosocial aspects of weight, physical activity, and body image. In particular, she is curious about the lived experiences of individuals with larger bodies in health and fitness contexts and how weight bias, or negative attitudes and stereotypes toward individuals who appear to be overweight, manifests itself within physical activity settings. Dr. Greenleaf's research seeks to inform practices for creating and supporting size-inclusive physical activity environments. To date, she has focused on media representations of fat exercisers in a televised weight loss competition, women’s experiences related to plus-size exercise clothing and exercise motivation, as well as experiences of embodiment during physical activity. Most recently, she has begun exploring information on weight-inclusive and weight-neutral approaches to fitness and health directed toward fitness professionals.

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