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

Puhl, Rebecca M.; Latner, Janet D.

doi:10.1037/0033-2909.133.4.557

Cited by 1,105 publications

(1,026 citation statements)

References 183 publications

(368 reference statements)

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“…It is important to stress at this point that it is not being suggested that childhood obesity is without negative consequence. Childhood obesity is clearly associated with a range of adverse physical, psychological and social outcomes (7,(59)(60)(61)65) . In addition, the tracking of adiposity and related behaviours from childhood to adulthood increases the risk of morbidity and mortality related to chronic disease in adulthood.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Childhood obesity: the impact on long-term risk of metabolic and CVD is not necessarily inevitable

McMullen

2014

Proc. Nutr. Soc.

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The worldwide prevalence of overweight and obesity in the adult population is estimated to be 35 %. These trends are reflected in childhood obesity prevalence, and the potential impact of early-onset obesity is of great concern. The aim of this review was to investigate the long-term implications of childhood obesity for metabolic and cardiovascular health, focusing on the independent contribution of childhood obesity to adult disease risk, as distinct from associations mediated by tracking of obesity across the lifespan. The data systematically reviewed provide little evidence to suggest that childhood overweight and obesity are independent risk factors for metabolic and cardiovascular risk during adulthood. Instead, the data demonstrate that the relationships observed are dependent on tracking of BMI between childhood and adulthood, alongside persistence of dietary patterns and physical activity. Adjustment for adult BMI uncovers unexpected negative associations between childhood BMI and adult disease, suggesting a protective effect of childhood obesity at any given level of adult BMI. Further work is required to explain these findings, both in terms of pathways and statistical artefacts. To conclude, it must be stressed that it is not suggested that childhood obesity is without negative consequence. Childhood obesity is clearly associated with a range of adverse physical and psychological outcomes. However, the data are important in supporting a positive message that the long-term consequences of childhood obesity are avoidable; and that there remains opportunity for intervention across the lifespan. This nuance in understanding long-term risk is important when considering the effectiveness of interventions at different stages of the lifespan. Childhood: Obesity: Metabolic syndrome: Cardiovascular disease: Blood pressureThe worldwide prevalence of overweight and obesity in the adult population is currently estimated to be 35 %, rising to over 70 % in some population groups, with rates of obesity nearly doubling between 1980 and 2008 (1) . This is a global phenomenon, with the prevalence of overweight and obesity in low-and middleincome countries on the rise, mirroring their transition to the obesogenic environments more commonly associated with 'Western' living. The relationship between obesity and risk of non-communicable disease in adulthood has long been established, with a wealth of evidence demonstrating the considerable impact of excess adiposity on the health and wellbeing of populations (2) . The trends in adult overweight and obesity are reflected in childhood obesity prevalence, and the potential impact of early-onset obesity is of great concern. It has been estimated that 200 million school-aged children were overweight or obese in 2010 worldwide, with a prevalence of >20 % in European states and >30 % in regions of North America (3) . In the UK, the 2007 Foresight report showed that about 8-10 % of girls and boys were obese in 2004, and this was projected to rise to an estimated 25 % by 2050 (4)...

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Childhood obesity: the impact on long-term risk of metabolic and CVD is not necessarily inevitable

McMullen

2014

Proc. Nutr. Soc.

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“…However, there have been few attempts to compare methodologies, particularly in their potential to favour negativity (Jarvie et al, 1983). A second feature of the present research was the concurrent collection of children's attribute ratings and their choices between body shapes, with the aim to compare these methods in their assessment of negativity.There is conflicting evidence of gender differences (respondent and target character) in young children's negative stereotyping (Cramer & Steinwert, 1998;Dunkeld Turnbull et al, 2000), and uncertainty whether this is related to the trait or attitude assessed, e.g., the nature of being mean or victimizing differing between boys and girls (Puhl & Latner, 2007). This contrasts with much clearer evidence of gender differences in older children and adolescents (Rees, Oliver, Woodman, & Thomas, 2011).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…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 younger.…”

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“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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“…Given evidence that weight-based stigma can itself worsen health (Muennig and Bench, 2008;Puhl and Latner, 2007), these findings should give us pause. Our findings suggest that researchers, journalists, activists, and politicians would benefit from understanding the potential negative consequences of messages representing these frames.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reporting risk, producing prejudice: How news reporting on obesity shapes attitudes about health risk, policy, and prejudice

Saguy

Frederick

Gruys

2014

Social Science & Medicine

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

Cited by 1,105 publications

References 183 publications

Childhood obesity: the impact on long-term risk of metabolic and CVD is not necessarily inevitable

Childhood obesity: the impact on long-term risk of metabolic and CVD is not necessarily inevitable

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

Reporting risk, producing prejudice: How news reporting on obesity shapes attitudes about health risk, policy, and prejudice

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