Dr. Braidyn Lazenby, Assistant Professor in the School of Communication, received a seed grant from the Florida State University (FSU) Council on Research and Creativity (CRC) for her project, “One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Creating a Communication Guide for Healthcare Providers During Interactions for Patients Seeking and Utilizing Weight-Loss Medication.”  

“I am excited to continue my work in health communication, specifically studying how we communicate about health, food, and our bodies,” said Lazenby. “I’m also excited to be gifted this time that can be given back to participants of the study!”

Lazenby’s research addresses weight stigma by developing a communication guide to help patients navigate conversations about being prescribed weight loss medication. The goal is to understand the social challenges around discussions about taking weight loss medication and provide suggestions on how to navigate such conversations.  

The project was inspired by conversations Lazenby had with two women taking weight loss medication. While both women were satisfied with the medical and aesthetic outcomes, they struggled with the stigma of being overweight and using medication, fearing it would be seen as taking the “easy” way out. 

“These conversations reminded me of just how necessary health communication resources are and I knew I had the opportunity to help this problem,” she said. 

The grant allows Lazenby to dedicate her summer to collaborating with participants to ensure the guide reflects the community’s challenges and needs. “It is my goal to set the tone for the field of health communication and demonstrate that applied research can and should be a priority,” she explained.