PURPOSE: In this brief report, an unanswered question in implicit weight bias research is addressed: Is weight bias stronger when obese and thin people are pictured engaging in stereotype consistent behaviors (e.g., obese-watching TV/eating junk food; thin-exercising/eating healthy) as opposed to the converse? METHODS: Implicit Associations Test (IAT) data were collected from two samples of overweight/obese adults participating in weight loss treatment. Both samples completed two IATs. In one IAT, obese and thin people were pictured engaging in stereotype consistent behaviors (e.g., obese-watching TV/eating junk food; thin-exercising/eating healthy). In the second IAT, obese and thin people were pictured engaging in stereotype inconsistent behaviors (e.g., obese-exercising/eating healthy; thin-watching TV/eating junk food). RESULTS: Implicit weight bias was evident regardless of whether participants viewed stereotype consistent or inconsistent pictures. However, implicit bias was significantly stronger for stereotype consistent compared to stereotype inconsistent images. CONCLUSION: Implicit anti-fat attitudes may be connected to the way in which people with obesity are portrayed.
PURPOSE: In this brief report, an unanswered question in implicit weight bias research is addressed: Is weight bias stronger when obese and thin people are pictured engaging in stereotype consistent behaviors (e.g., obese-watching TV/eating junk food; thin-exercising/eating healthy) as opposed to the converse? METHODS: Implicit Associations Test (IAT) data were collected from two samples of overweight/obese adults participating in weight loss treatment. Both samples completed two IATs. In one IAT, obese and thin people were pictured engaging in stereotype consistent behaviors (e.g., obese-watching TV/eating junk food; thin-exercising/eating healthy). In the second IAT, obese and thin people were pictured engaging in stereotype inconsistent behaviors (e.g., obese-exercising/eating healthy; thin-watching TV/eating junk food). RESULTS: Implicit weight bias was evident regardless of whether participants viewed stereotype consistent or inconsistent pictures. However, implicit bias was significantly stronger for stereotype consistent compared to stereotype inconsistent images. CONCLUSION: Implicit anti-fat attitudes may be connected to the way in which people with obesity are portrayed.
Authors: Christy Greenleaf; Heather Chambliss; Deborah J Rhea; Scott B Martin; James R Morrow Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2006-07-10 Impact factor: 5.012
Authors: Bethany A Teachman; Kathrine D Gapinski; Kelly D Brownell; Melissa Rawlins; Subathra Jeyaram Journal: Health Psychol Date: 2003-01 Impact factor: 4.267
Authors: Robert A Carels; Nova G Hinman; Debra A Hoffmann; Jacob M Burmeister; Jessica E Borushok; Jenna M Marx; Lisham Ashrafioun Journal: Eat Behav Date: 2014-09-16