The use of the word obese is common in health care settings and within public health campaigns. Understanding responses of youth to weight-related terms such as obese can provide important context to the potential implications associated with using this term.We conducted an open-ended survey of 1,266 adolescents and emerging adults (ages 14 -24) participating in the MyVoice text message cohort. Participants provided responses via text message to the question "What do you think of when you hear the word 'obese'?" Open-ended text message responses were coded using a mixed-methods approach. The mean (SD) age of participants was 18.7 (3.0) years, and 56.0% identified as female, 37.6% as male, and 6.3% as other. Most participants (69.5%) identified as White, and 8.8% identified as Black; 10.5% as Asian; and 11.3% as a race other than White, Black, or Asian; 12.3% identified as Hispanic. Responses provided by MyVoice participants included definitions, associations, and assumptions, suggesting a range of conceptual understanding of the question posed. Many adolescents defined obese by numerical thresholds (42.9%) and size descriptors (28.6%). Some made associations of disease states (31.4%) and weight-based stereotypes (6.3%). Last, youth made assumptions about the causes of obesity and were far more likely to cite causes related to personal responsibility (9.2%) than noncontrollable environmental or genetic factors (1.2%). Adolescents and emerging adults have varied definitions, associations, and causal assumptions regarding the word obese, many of which reinforce negative weight-based stereotypes and could contribute to the stigmatization of people of higher body weights.

Previous research shows that Multiracial adults are categorized as more Black than White (i.e., Black-categorization bias), especially when they have angry facial expressions. The present research examined the extent to which these categorization patterns extended to Multiracial children, with both White and Black participants. Consistent with past research, both White and Black participants categorized Multiracial children as more Black than White. Counter to what was found with Multiracial adults in previous research, emotional expressions (e.g., happy vs. angry) did not moderate how Multiracial children were categorized. Additionally, for Black participants, anti-White bias was correlated with categorizing Multiracial children as more White than Black. The developmental and cultural implications of these data are discussed, as they provide new insight into the important role that age plays in Multiracial person perception.

Background: While the negative and positive outcomes of pro-eating disorder groups have been well-documented, more research is needed on the effects of pro-recovery communities. In particular, a gap in knowledge remains surrounding users’ feelings about their experiences in such communities. Using open-ended questions, we interviewed those involved in the recovery community on the social media site Tumblr, to determine how the community helped/did not help with recovery, and how it made them feel about recovery. Methods: Participants (n = 29) answered a series of Likert and open-ended questions. The open-ended questions were examined using thematic analysis to learn about users’ lived experiences. Results: When asked if/how the community helped with recovery, positive themes of “not alone,” “motivation,” and “encouragement” were identified, as were negative themes of “competition” and “triggering content.” When asked if the community made them feel better or worse about their recovery, a theme of comparison was identified, with two subthemes: positive and negative. In addition, a theme of type of content was found. Conclusions: Participants believed the community was helpful and made them feel better about recovery, with some caveats. Recovery communities on unmoderated sites or social media applications may be useful tools during the recovery process.

Introduction: Although Barbies are heavily criticized for their unattainable bodies, research has not thoroughly examined the long-lasting effects of playing with Barbies in childhood on women’s later body image. In the present study, we examined whether the frequency of play with Barbies, number of Barbies owned, enjoyment when playing with Barbies, and age at first play with Barbies were associated with women’s body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, and dieting behaviors. Methods: Female young adults (n=68) who had played with Barbies as children responded to surveys. Results: We found that only age at first play with Barbies in childhood was associated with greater drive for thinness in adulthood; no other Barbie variable was associated with body image. Conclusions: These findings suggest that girls who begin playing with Barbies at a young age may be susceptible to developing a greater internalization of the thin ideal. It is important that girls and parents be aware that Barbies do not represent an ideal body to match. Keywords: Barbie; dolls; disordered eating; drive for thinness

No abstract