Lay Theories of Obesity: Causes and Consequences

Abstract

Abstract"oth the scientiic community and the general public have come to recognize the increasing prevalence of obesity as a signiicant public health crisis. To help address this issue, recent research has begun to explore lay theories of obesity the mental models that structure how non-experts think about the causes and consequences of the condition. In this chapter, we develop an integrative review of the literature on lay theories of obesity, drawing on research in public health, communications, and psychology to illuminate the factors that shape beliefs and atitudes toward the condition, as well as the consequences of speciic lay theories for cognition and behavior. "t the individual level, we discuss how certain ways of thinking about obesity facilitate obesity treatment and prevention. "t the societal level, we discuss how certain ways of thinking about obesity lead people to support and oppose speciic types of obesityrelated policy interventions. We pay special atention to the role of narrative framing and individual demographics in the etiology of lay beliefs and explore how particular psychological mechanisms e.g., empathy can afect atributions and atitudes.

More threatening and more diagnostic: How moral comparisons differ from social comparisons.

“…However, if comparisons in morality depend less on the diagnosticity principle due to the perception that morality is based on will power and effort, then diagnosticity may be also less relevant in other domains that are viewed through the lens of willpower. For example, people often consider health, such as healthy eating, dieting, and exercise, to be based more on people’s will power, and less on their ability (Thibodeau & Flusberg, 2017). Therefore, health might be one such domain in which diagnosticity is less relevant, similar to morality.…”

Lay beliefs about the perceived harmfulness of excess weight: Influence of weight status and the cause of weight

“…There is considerable interest within the scientific community in understanding the complex pathophysiology of overweight and obesity 1 (Labib, 2003). Mirroring this scientific interest, members of the general public have developed their own 'lay theories' about the causes and consequences of excess weight (Thibodeau & Flusberg, 2017). Understanding such lay theories is important because these theories influence individuals' interpretation of information about weight and health, their judgements of both themselves and others, and their desire to engage in weight-control behaviours (Zedelius et al, 2017).…”

Cognitive and Emotional Influences on Eating Behaviour: A Qualitative Perspective

“…Excess body weight is directly associated with numerous serious health conditions and despite the general appreciation of the dangerous impact of weight gain, incidence rates have been steadily climbing over the last decades. 1 Pioneering work on the cause of weight gain has suggested specific anchors, including taste, health, social status, and cost, predict particular food patterns, while later investigations have increasingly recognised the role of cognitive and motivational components, which are particularly relevant in light of the access to a wide range of foods in Western societies adding to autonomy in choices. [2][3][4] Moreover, several researchers have recognised the impact of the emotional state on individuals' eating behaviour.…”