A Big Fat Problem? Public Health Students, Obesity Stigma, and the Law Public
Brown, Whitney Alexis (2011)
Abstract
Background: Research on the health effects of obesity has largely focused on the negative physical health consequences and medical sequelae associated with the condition. Substantially less research has investigated the medical and social consequences of obesity stigma, though a growing body of research has documented the existence of weight-based stigma in the general population as well as among professionals in the healthcare field. The purpose of this study is to explore public health students' beliefs about obese people and the causes of obesity, to assess their likelihood of support of hypothetical legislation that would provide protections against weight-based discrimination, and to determine whether beliefs about obese people and the causes of obesity would predict students' support for anti-discrimination legislation and/or acceptance of discriminatory practices in various scenarios. Method: Data were collected using an online, self-administered survey of currently-enrolled students at Rollins School of Public Health. Results: 309 participants were eligible and completed the study. Results suggest that public health students surveyed harbored weight bias, even while acknowledging that social causes may play an important role in the development of obesity. Most participants believed that weight-based discrimination in employment scenarios should be illegal, but did not strongly support any of the proposed hypothetical pieces of legislation that would provide legal protections on the basis of weight. Fewer negative attitudes about obesity, a belief that internal causes are to blame for obesity, and female sex were found to be positive predictors of both outcome measures. Liberal political affiliation and multiracial identity were also found to positively predict less support for discrimination in the scenarios presented. Conclusions: This study suggests the need to educate public health students about their own stigmas, and to equip them with tools to ensure that common stereotypes do not negatively influence future research, health education, or policy endeavors. Such efforts may also have the effect of increasing the likelihood that public health students would reject weight-based discrimination and support legislation protecting people against unfair discrimination on the basis of weight status.
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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