Understanding Anti-Fat Bias in Children: The Role of Media and Appearance Anxiety in Third to Sixth Graders' Implicit and Explicit Attitudes Toward Obesity

Bissell, Kim; Hays, H. R.

doi:10.1080/15205430903464592

Cited by 21 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…In the past, researchers have reported mixed results on the relationship between implicit and explicit weight bias. Whereas Bissell and Hays (2010) found that implicit weight bias measured with the IAT predicted increased explicit weight bias among 7-to 13-year-old children, Vartanian, Herman, and Polivy (2005) found no significant correlation between implicit and explicit antifat attitudes among female undergraduates. Though not central to our analysis, we additionally examined the relationship between implicit and explicit attitudes by asking RQ1: Is there an effect of implicit attitudes on explicit attitudes?…”

Section: Interplay Of Implicit and Explicit Weight Biasmentioning

confidence: 87%

“…Although research has enhanced current understandings of weight loss reality TV shows' potential priming effects on explicit self-reported attitudes, it has insufficiently accounted for the influence on adolescents' automatic reactions toward obese individuals-that is, their implicit attitudes. Numerous researchers have indicated that attitudes toward obese individuals can emerge aside from individuals' conscious awareness or intention (e.g., Bissell & Hays, 2010;Gapinski et al, 2006;O'Brien et al, 2007). Those implicit attitudes stem from automatic associations of two or more concepts-for instance, e.g., obesity and laziness; (Greenwald, McGhee, & Schwartz, 1998)-and can predict stronger appearance-based evaluations of others (Carels et al, 2013), as well as prejudiced behaviors toward overweight individuals (Bessenoff & Sherman, 2000).…”

Section: Implicit Weight Bias: Implicit Attitudesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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“Weak, Sad, and Lazy Fatties”: Adolescents’ Explicit and Implicit Weight Bias Following Exposure to Weight Loss Reality TV Shows

Karsay

Schmuck

2017

Media Psychology

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Weight loss reality TV shows, which portray obese individuals and their struggle to lose weight, are highly popular. However, the shows often contain negative and stereotypical portrayals of obese individuals that can contribute to the formation of weight bias among viewers. In particular, adolescents might be highly susceptible to such portrayals, since physical appearance and body image play an important role during adolescence. In our experimental study, we investigated the priming effects of exposure to weight loss reality TV shows on implicit and explicit attitudes toward obese individuals among 353 adolescents. We exposed a treatment group (n = 173) to video clips of a weight loss reality TV show and a control group (n = 180) to video clips of an information-based TV magazine. Results indicated that for individuals who expressed a fear of being obese, exposure to the weight loss reality TV show reinforced negative explicit attitudes toward obese individuals by activating a perception of weight controllability. Exposure to the weight loss reality TV show also enhanced negative implicit attitudes toward obese individuals among all adolescents, irrespective of their fear of being obese. Altogether, our findings underscore the role of media in perpetuating weight bias. Western societies highly stigmatize obesity. Overweight or obese individuals of all ages face multiple forms of discrimination in different situations of daily life, including in health, employment, and educational settings. In perpetuating the stigmatization of obesity, or weight bias, media play an important role. On the one hand, results of content analytical research have provided evidence that various media genres demonstrate weight bias (Ata & Thompson, 2010). In particular, by emphasizing the lack of willpower, isolation, and laziness of obese individuals, reality TV shows depicting weight loss (e.g., The Biggest Loser, Secret Eaters, Extreme Weight Loss) promote the stigmatization and degradation of obese individuals (Sender & Sullivan, 2008). On the other hand, research on media priming has shown that stereotypical portrayals enhance stereotypical CONTACT Kathrin Karsay

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Section: Interplay Of Implicit and Explicit Weight Biasmentioning

confidence: 87%

Section: Implicit Weight Bias: Implicit Attitudesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Weak, Sad, and Lazy Fatties”: Adolescents’ Explicit and Implicit Weight Bias Following Exposure to Weight Loss Reality TV Shows

Karsay

Schmuck

2017

Media Psychology

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“…Weightism involves stigmatization of individuals based on size (Ata & Thompson, 2010;Bissell & Hays, 2011;Haines & Neumark-Sztainer, 2009;Puhl & Latner, 2007) and reinforces the stereotype and common misperception that individuals who are overweight should be able to control their eating and exercise habits (Geier, Schwartz, & Brownell, 2003). Conversely, being thin is associated with being disciplined and other positive qualities such as physical and mental health, a successful career, and a high quality of life, with no consideration for the genetic or biological determinants of weight.…”

Section: What Is Weightism?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Children are vulnerable to socialization messages that reinforce weight-related discrimination in the form of media, peers, family members, and teachers (Ata & Thompson, 2010;Bissell & Hays, 2011;Puhl & Latner, 2007).…”

Section: What Is Weightism?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, childhood and adolescence represent critical life stages to develop an individual sense of self-awareness and self-worth, and to learn how to form healthy social relationships (Bissell & Hays, 2011). Strategies need to be employed that realistically address the challenges associated with living in a weight-biased society.…”

Section: Media and Weight Biasmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Combating Weight Bias Among Adolescents in School Settings

Miyairi

Reel

2011

Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance

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Understanding the Role of Cognition and Media in Body Image Disturbance and Weight Bias in Children, Adolescents, and Adults

Bissell¹

2012

The International Encyclopedia of Media Studies

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This chapter explores the role of cognition and media as it relates to body image disturbances and weight bias in children, adolescents, and adults. Specifically, this chapter examines the multidimensional factors related to an individual's body image and further examines how these variables relate to prejudice or anti‐fat bias against others. Exposure to thin‐ideal media and related effects on an individual's self‐perception are examined in the areas of self‐discrepancy, body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, and body self‐esteem. This chapter further examines the relationship between media and obesity with a look at the role media potentially play in the development of overweight or obesity in children. Lastly, this chapter will synthesize work in the area of media, cognition, and body image from a theoretical perspective and offer suggestions for the direction of future research.

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Understanding Anti-Fat Bias in Children: The Role of Media and Appearance Anxiety in Third to Sixth Graders' Implicit and Explicit Attitudes Toward Obesity

Cited by 21 publications

References 39 publications

“Weak, Sad, and Lazy Fatties”: Adolescents’ Explicit and Implicit Weight Bias Following Exposure to Weight Loss Reality TV Shows

“Weak, Sad, and Lazy Fatties”: Adolescents’ Explicit and Implicit Weight Bias Following Exposure to Weight Loss Reality TV Shows

Combating Weight Bias Among Adolescents in School Settings

Understanding the Role of Cognition and Media in Body Image Disturbance and Weight Bias in Children, Adolescents, and Adults

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