Weight-based stigmatization in children

Kraig, KA; Keel, Pamela K.

doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0801813

Cited by 113 publications

(114 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Overall, while there was preference for the healthy weight (non-visibly different) character, all character versions were viewed positively. Similar findings were reported by Kraig and Keel (2001) in research with slightly older (7-to 9-year-old) children. But this contrasts with overall negative ratings in a study of US 4-to 6-year-olds that used the drawings from the Collins (1991) body figure scale as targets (Musher-Eizenman et al, 2004).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“No fat friend of mine”: Young children's responses to overweight and disability

2016

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Two studies investigated 4-to 6-year-old children's weight bias. In Study 1, 126 children read illustrated books where a main character ('Alfie') was healthy weight, in a wheelchair, or overweight. In Study 2, 150 children read the same stories where the character was female ('Alfina'), or stories where her friends were fat. Children rated 'Alfie'/'Alfina' and a comparison character on nine attributes/behaviours, and chose one that best represented each attribute. Fat and wheelchair 'Alfie'/'Alfina' were rated less likely to win a race, and fat 'Alfie'/'Alfina' as having fewer friends. When forced to choose between characters, fat 'Alfie'/'Alfina' was rejected on most constructs. Children's gender, self-perceived shape, and character's friends' size had no effect on judgements. These findings show children's preferences away from fatness rather than outright rejection, and mostly clearly in friendship choices. Understanding young children's weight bias is important given their increasing involvement in obesity surveillance, prevention, and management.Keywords: Weight bias; Anti-fat attitudes; Stereotyping; Children; Disability; Social rejection 3 "No fat friend of mine": Young children's responses to overweight and disability Bias against people with obesity is evident through well-documented inequities in key areas of people's lives such as employment, education, and healthcare (Puhl & Heuer, 2009). The unacceptability of fatness is reflected in media such as advertising and TV programming and in a portrayal of weight loss that is contingent on personal effort. Given that people with obesity are consequently blamed for their state of body it is unsurprising that experienced (and perceived) weight bias increases vulnerability to psychological and emotional distress.Social marginalization is pivotal to weight bias and stems from the pervasive negative stereotypes regarding the character and behaviour of people with obesity (Puhl & Heuer, 2009). Research into children's obesity stereotyping has a long history and originated in studies of their perception of disability. Asking 10-to11-year-old children, "Which boy (girl) do you like best" from six drawings of children with different physical disabilities, no disability, or obesity, showed the obese child was generally the last to be selected (Richardson, Goodman, Hastorf, & Dornbusch, 1961). In a replication some 40 years later, pre-teen children were even less likely to choose the obese child drawing as being liked over any of the others (Latner & Stunkard, 2003). Increases in obesity prevalence over this period and children's presumed increased familiarity with obesity appear to have done little to ameliorate these negative views.Reviewing the literature on weight stigma in children and adolescents, Puhl and Latner (2007) distinguish educators, parents, and peers as the primary sources of weight bias. The rejection of an obese target (usually a drawing or cartoon) as a friend, someone to play with, or to date, is common to many studies of teens and younge...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“No fat friend of mine”: Young children's responses to overweight and disability

2016

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“…Participants also reported that being overweight was a significant cause of peer rejection, which supports the findings of previous research (Hill & Silver, 1995;Kraig & Keel, 2001;Latner & Stunkard, 2003;NeumarkSztainer et al, 1998). More information is needed to address the prevalence of weight-based peer rejection in physical education class settings, as well as how educators deal with such teasing.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

“…: +1-940-565-3415; e-mail: cgreenleaf@coe.unt.edu Kraig & Keel, 2001;Latner & Stunkard, 2003;Neumark-Sztainer, Story, & Faibisch, 1998). Hill and Silver (1995) found that children rated obese figure silhouettes as having few friends.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptions of Youth Obesity among Physical Educators

2005

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Abstract. The purposes of this study were to examine (a) antifat attitudes among physical education teachers, (b) performance and ability expectations for normal and overweight youth, and (c) perceptions of the problem of youth obesity and the role of schools and physical education. Participants, 105 physical educators, completed a demographic and background questionnaire, the Antifat Attitudes Scale (AFAS; Morrison & O'Connor), an expectations questionnaire, and Perceptions of Youth Obesity and Physical Education Questionnaire (Price, Desmond, & Ruppert). Participants endorsed moderate antifat attitudes and strong personal weight control beliefs. Participants reported higher expectations for youth they considered normal weight, versus overweight, across a variety of performance and ability areas. Participants overwhelmingly agreed that youth obesity is a concern and that schools are not doing enough to help overweight youth.

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“…Consequently, there is a wide range of psychosocial impairments and problems that have been investigated in association with obesity. In the following, the numerous studies according to the following categories is to be analysed: (1) social discrimination and teasing experience, (2) emotional problems (such as anxieties, depression or self-esteem), (3) school and functional restrictions as well as (4) effects on the quality of life.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The unhappy obese child

Warschburger

2005

Int J Obes

103

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OBJECTIVE:One of the most painful aspects of obesity may be the emotional suffering it causes. The paper discusses the psychological and social effects of obesity. METHOD: Current studies examining the psychosocial strains of obese children and adolescents are reported. The report especially focuses on stigmatization, mental health disorders, school performance and health-related quality of life. DISCUSSION: Research is showing that obesity is associated with poorer psychosocial functioningFeven compared with other chronic diseases. Future studies should further explicate the risk and protective factors for developing severe psychosocial strain.

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Weight-based stigmatization in children

Cited by 113 publications

References 16 publications

“No fat friend of mine”: Young children's responses to overweight and disability

“No fat friend of mine”: Young children's responses to overweight and disability

Perceptions of Youth Obesity among Physical Educators

The unhappy obese child

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