Beliefs about Obesity: Effects of Age, Ethnicity, Sex and Weight

Abstract

To find out if subjects' knowledge of the complex nature of obesity increases with age, 447 nursery school, first grade, fifth grade, and adult subjects were asked if they knew anyone fat and, if so, who; what the causes of obesity are; and whose fault it is if someone is fat. Older subjects were increasingly likely to know people who were fat and to give complex causal explanations for obesity; moreover, adults were less likely than children to see the fat individual as responsible for his obesity. Female subjects were more likely than males to know someone fat and to give complex explanations of obesity. Anglo, Hispanic, Native American and black subjects did not differ on any measure. Children who were underweight, of average weight or overweight also did not differ in knowledge or beliefs. The results suggest that, although accuracy of knowledge increases with age, education about obesity at all age levels may be needed to reduce incorrect beliefs and accompanying negative attitudes toward obesity.