Inaccessibility and performative inclusivity: higher-weight Francophone and Newcomer adults' experiences in a Canadian Atlantic province

Andrea E. Bombak, Department of Sociology, University of New Brunswick, P.O. Box 4400, 9 Macaulay Lane, Fredericton, NB, CanadaFollow
Norma Chinho, Department of Applied Health Sciences Research, University of New Brunswick, Room 317, 3 Bailey Drive, Fredericton NB, CanadaFollow
Kathleen O'Keefe, Department of Sociology, University of New Brunswick, P.O. Box 4400, 9 Macaulay Lane, Fredericton, NB, CanadaFollow
Sumaiya Akhter, Department of Law, University of New Brunswick, P.O. Box 4400, 41 Dineen Drive, NB, CanadaFollow
Lisa Thomson, Department of Sociology, University of New Brunswick, P.O. Box 4400, 9 Macaulay Lane, Fredericton, NB, CanadaFollow
Courtney Burk, Department of Forestry and Environmental Management, University of New Brunswick, P.O. Box 4400, 28 Dineen Drive, Fredericton, NB CanadaFollow
Lee Turner, Department of Sociology, University of New Brunswick, P.O. Box 4400, 9 Macaulay Lane, Fredericton, NB, CanadaFollow

ORCID

Andrea E. Bombak:

Abstract

Weight stigma research is needed in diverse populations. Two populations that may experience compromised healthcare in New Brunswick, Canada's only officially bilingual province (English/French), are Francophone New Brunswickers and newcomers to Canada. As such, this study explores the experiences of higher-weight (Body Mass Index ≥ 30) adults (≥ 18 years of age) who also identify as primarily Francophone or as having moved to Canada ≤ 5 years ago in and out of healthcare contexts. Participants were interviewed according to a semi-structured interview guide face-to-face, by telephone, or video-call two times, at 2-to-3-month intervals. Interviews included questions about experiences and effects of stigma, positive/negative healthcare experiences, and places wherein they felt particularly accepted or stigmatized. Data were analyzed thematically. Among the Francophone subsample (n = 12), emergent themes included Language Tension, System Navigation, and Performative Bilingualism and Stigma, Acceptance, and Avoidance, which indicates that French services are not easy to access in New Brunswick and linguistic and weight stigma are present. Emergent themes among the newcomer subsample (n = 10) included Acceptance and Isolation and Inaccessibility. Newcomers felt accepted in healthcare, but isolated socially, and had difficulty accessing healthcare. Higher-weight Francophone New Brunswickers experience difficulties accessing French healthcare services and report experiences of perceived weight and linguistic stigma. Higher-weight newcomer New Brunswickers experience healthcare access issues and social isolation but size acceptance. Anti-stigma policies and improved healthcare access are necessary.

Recommended Citation

Bombak A, Chinho N, O'Keefe K, Akhter S, Thomson L, Burk C, Turner L. Inaccessibility and performative inclusivity: higher-weight Francophone and Newcomer adults' experiences in a Canadian Atlantic province. Patient Experience Journal. 2026; 13(1):166-176. doi: 10.35680/2372-0247.2090.