Weight stigma and physical activity
We are curious about the lived experiences of individuals living in larger bodies in health and fitness contexts. Our work focuses on understanding how we can create and support more inclusive environments. To date, we have focused on women’s experiences related to plus-size exercise apparel, exercise motivation, and internalization of stigma. We have recently begun exploring experiences of embodiment during physical activity.

Dr. Greenleaf is a member of the SELF magazine’s Future of Fitness Advisory Board and was interviewed for a recent article, “These 10 People Are Challenging How the Fitness Industry Treats Fatness“. Research from our lab informs her involvement in these efforts to create body-size inclusive fitness and health environments.

• Greenleaf, C., & Hauff, C. (2019). Environments that cultivate embodiment through mindful movement. In T. L. Tylka and N. Piran (Eds.), Handbook of Positive Body Image: Constructs, Protective Factors, and Interventions (pp. 118-128). New York: Oxford University Press.
• Greenleaf, C., & Rodriguez, A. M. (2021). Living in a Larger Body: Do Exercise Motives Influence Associations between Body Image and Exercise Avoidance Motivation?. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(1), 72.
• Greenleaf, C., Hauff, C., Klos, L., & Serafin, G. (2020). “Fat People Exercise Too!”: Perceptions and Realities of Shopping for Women’s Plus-Size Exercise Apparel. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 38 (2), 75-89.
• Hauff, C., & Greenleaf, C. (2021). Exploring Plus-Size Exercise Apparel as a Social Justice Issue; Understanding How All Pants ARE NOT Created Equal. In Sportswomen’s Apparel in the United States (pp. 129-151). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
• Paulson, G., & Greenleaf, C. (2022). “I feel empowered and alive!”: Exploring embodiment among physically active women. Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal.
• Greenleaf, C., & Hauff, C. (2024). “When It Fits Wrong, I’m So Self-Conscious I Want to Die!”: Women’s Experiences Wearing Plus-Size Exercise Clothing. Sex Roles, 10.1007/s11199-024-01494-x.

The Biggest Loser
We conducted a number of critical analyses of the reality television show, The Biggest Loser, that included (a) exploring the ways in which the physical trainers treated, spoke about, and interacted with contestants and (b) examining how strategies for weight loss were presented. Dr. Greenleaf was quoted in LA Times article, Forget the pounds. ‘The Biggest Loser’ tries to shed critics of its weight-loss plan (Dehnart, 2020).

• Greenleaf, C., Klos, L., Hauff, C., Hennum, A., Pozoliniski, B., & Serafin, G. (2019). “Unless you puke, faint, or die, keep going!” Exploring weight stigma in the gym on The Biggest Loser. Fat Studies, 8(2), 110-126.
• Klos, L. A., Greenleaf, C., Paly, N., Kessler, M. M., Shoemaker, C. G., & Suchla, E. A. (2015). Losing weight on reality tv: A content analysis of the weight loss behaviors and practices portrayed on The Biggest Loser. Journal of Health Communication, 20(6), 639-646.

Weighing behaviors

• Klos, L. A. (2013). Is Weighing a “Woman’s Thing?” Associations Among Gender, Gender Role Orientation, and Self-Weighing Behavior. Sex roles, 69(1), 16-28.
• Klos, L. A., Esser, V. E., & Kessler, M. M. (2012). To weigh or not to weigh: the relationship between self-weighing behavior and body image among adults. Body Image, 9(4), 551-554.
• Klos, L. A., & Sobal, J. (2013). Marital status and body weight, weight perception, and weight management among US adults. Eating behaviors, 14(4), 500-507.
• Klos, L. A., & Sobal, J. (2013). Weight and weddings. Engaged men’s body weight ideals and wedding weight management behaviors. Appetite, 60, 133-139.

Molly Kessler assisted Dr. Lori Klos during her undergraduate education at UWM. They conducted an analysis of bridal magazines in which they explored representations of appearance control strategies.