Causal beliefs about obesity and associated health behaviors: results from a population-based survey

Abstract

BackgroundSeveral genetic variants are associated with obesity risk. Promoting the notion of genes as a cause for obesity may increase genetically deterministic beliefs and decrease motivation to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors. Little is known about whether causal beliefs about obesity are associated with lifestyle behaviors. Study objectives were as follows: 1) to document the prevalence of various causal beliefs about obesity (i.e., genes versus lifestyle behaviors), and 2) to determine the association between obesity causal beliefs and self-reported dietary and physical activity behaviors.MethodsThe study data were drawn from the 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). A total of 3,534 individuals were included in the present study.ResultsOverall, 72% of respondents endorsed the belief that lifestyle behaviors have 'a lot' to do with causing obesity, whereas 19% indicated that inheritance has 'a lot' to do with causing obesity. Multinomial logistic regression analyses indicated that the belief that obesity is inherited was associated with lower reported levels of physical activity (OR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.77-0.99) and fruit and vegetable consumption (OR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.76-0.99). In contrast, the belief that obesity is caused by lifestyle behaviors was associated with greater reported levels of physical activity (OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.03-1.62), but was not associated with fruit and vegetable intake (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.90-1.28).ConclusionsCausal beliefs about obesity are associated with some lifestyle behaviors. Additional research is needed to determine whether promoting awareness of the genetic determinants of obesity will decrease the extent to which individuals will engage in the lifestyle behaviors essential to healthy weight management.

Threat of the thin-ideal body image and body malleability beliefs: Effects on body image self-discrepancies and behavioral intentions

“…This particular belief is directly linked to the causal attribution of obesity or underweight, that is, it can be an answer to the "Why don't I meet weight standards" question. Exploring this issue from a health communication and information point of view could prove a fruitful field of research (Hilbert et al, 2009;Wang & Coups, 2010). Moreover, the belief that the body is not malleable (i.e., is genetically driven) has consequences on self-blame ) and thus on the dieting process.…”

“…Nevertheless, as far as we know, only one study has ever explored the consequences of causal attribution of weight on behavior. Wang and Coups (2010) explored beliefs about obesity within the general population and found that believing that the cause was genetic produced less healthy behaviors. The present study manipulated this variable in order to elucidate the relationship between beliefs about malleability, body perception and consequent behavior.…”

Patient Beliefs and Behaviors About Genomic Risk for Type 2 Diabetes: Implications for Prevention

“…For example, belief in genetic causality for cardiovascular disease, obesity, or cancer has been reported to be associated with less preventive behaviors, more risky behaviors, greater belief in biological treatment effectiveness, or less perceived control (Claassen et al, 2010;Kaphingst, Lachance, & Condit, 2009;Senior & Marteau, 2007;Senior, Marteau, & Peters, 1999;Wang & Coups, 2010). A recent meta-analysis, however, concluded that the evidence for such fatalism in response to genetic testing is limited (Collins, Wright, & Marteau, 2011).…”

“…The second condition would be met if patients' representations of T2D include the belief that the threat can be addressed (i.e., the illness can be prevented, even in the face of genetic risk) through appropriate coping strategies such as dietary improvements, exercise, or medication. In contrast, genetic information might result in fatalistic beliefs that T2D cannot be prevented at all (Claassen et al, 2010), or in discounting of behavioral treatment strategies among people with high behavioral risk (O'Neill, McBride, Alford, & Kaphingst, 2010;Wang & Coups, 2010). Such fatalistic beliefs may manifest as less physical activity and poorer diet habits among people with representations that include genetic causality.…”

“…(b) What are patients' beliefs regarding preventive coping behaviors for T2D prevention, given genetic risk beliefs? and (c) Are higher beliefs in genetic causality related to less self-reported diet and exercise behavior Wang & Coups, 2010)?…”