The Perception of obesity by normal-weight versus obese school-age children

Counts, Carol R.; Jones, Cynthia; Frame, Cynthia L.; Jarvie, Gregory J.; Strauss, Cyd C.

doi:10.1007/bf00706650

Cited by 32 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…This aspect of the findings is consistent with the results of previous studies, which have likewise found that the gender of the target and participant has no effect on negative stereotyping in children (Hill & Silver, 1995;Stager & Burke, 1982), and nor does the child's age (Stager & Burke, 1982;Tiggemann & Wilson-Barrett, 1998). Hill and Silver and Counts et al (1986) have also found that the weight of the child has little impact on children's judgments of overweight and thin figures. This confirms that overweight children do not have less negative attitudes toward obese targets than do average-weight children and, hence, are not positively biased toward their own group.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Negative Stereotyping of Obesity in Children: The Role of Controllability Beliefs

Tiggemann

Anesbury

2000

J Applied Social Pyschol

141

104

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This study investigated the extent of negative stereotyping of obesity (compared to negative stereotyping of height) in children and its relationship with the perception of obesity as controllable. Questionnaires measuring negative stereotyping and controllability beliefs about weight (and height) were completed by 96 children from Grades 4 to 6. Consistent negative stereotyping of obesity was found for both child and adult targets, regardless of the child's own gender, age, or weight, Likewise, children uniformly believed obesity to be largely under volitional control. The degree of controllability assigned to obesity was positively correlated with the extent of negative stereotyping. It was concluded that control beliefs may provide a vehicle for changing the strong negative attitudes displayed toward fat people.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Negative Stereotyping of Obesity in Children: The Role of Controllability Beliefs

Tiggemann

Anesbury

2000

J Applied Social Pyschol

141

104

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“…By using adjective checklist methods with line-drawing silhouettes, 7-12 year olds described overweight figures as more lazy, less popular, less happy, and less attractive (Tiggemann & Wilson-Barrett, 1998); 6 -11 year olds ascribed negative characteristics to overweight targets such as lazy, sloppy, dirty, cheats, lies, argues, mean, and stupid (Staffieri, 1967(Staffieri, , 1972; and 7-9 year olds assigned more negative ratings (such as poorer social functioning and academic success) to overweight targets than to thinner targets (Hill & Silver, 1995;Kraig & Keel, 2001). By using photographs of obese and average-weight peers who were described as potential partners to play a game with, students in Grades 3-5 perceived the obese target to be a worse game partner and a poorer leader, and the obese target was ascribed fewer positive attributes than was the average-weight target (Counts et al, 1986). A variation of the adjective checklist method with videos of child actors wearing a fat suit or no suit also demonstrated that children in Grades 3-6 assigned more negative characteristics to the obese target (Bell & Morgan, 2000).…”

Section: Peersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stigma, obesity, and the health of the nation's children.

Puhl¹,

Latner²

2007

Psychological Bulletin

1,112

934

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Preventing childhood obesity has become a top priority in efforts to improve our nation's public health. Although much research is needed to address this health crisis, it is important to approach childhood obesity with an understanding of the social stigma that obese youths face, which is pervasive and can have serious consequences for emotional and physical health. This report reviews existing research on weight stigma in children and adolescents, with attention to the nature and extent of weight bias toward obese youths and to the primary sources of stigma in their lives, including peers, educators, and parents. The authors also examine the literature on psychosocial and physical health consequences of childhood obesity to illustrate the role that weight stigma may play in mediating negative health outcomes. The authors then review stigma-reduction efforts that have been tested to improve attitudes toward obese children, and they highlight complex questions about the role of weight bias in childhood obesity prevention. With these literatures assembled, areas of research are outlined to guide efforts on weight stigma in youths, with an emphasis on the importance of studying the effect of weight stigma on physical health outcomes and identifying effective interventions to improve attitudes.

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“…In fact, most research that has considered weight status of the perceiver has found that it does not influence acceptance of others who are overweight [e.e., 48,49]. Further, children who are overweight may hold the same negative perceptions of overweight peers as children who are of average weight [50]. This underscores the complex nature of psychosocial development among youth who are overweight.…”

Section: Psychosocial Consequences Complications and Risk Factors Amentioning

confidence: 97%

Pediatric Obesity Epidemic: Problem and Solutions

Merlo

Yardley²

2011

CPD

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Over the past few decades, pediatric obesity has become a national epidemic. Up to one third of American children and adolescents currently meet criteria as overweight or obese, placing them at risk for obesity into adulthood. Multiple acute and chronic medical conditions are increasing in prevalence among youth due to their overweight status. In addition, obesity can result in serious problems related to psychosocial functioning. Efforts at prevention and treatment must address the multifactorial causes and consequences of pediatric obesity. Though many programs have been proposed, more work is needed in this area to successfully combat the problem of pediatric obesity.

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The Perception of obesity by normal-weight versus obese school-age children

Cited by 32 publications

References 8 publications

Negative Stereotyping of Obesity in Children: The Role of Controllability Beliefs

Negative Stereotyping of Obesity in Children: The Role of Controllability Beliefs

Stigma, obesity, and the health of the nation's children.

Pediatric Obesity Epidemic: Problem and Solutions

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