Weight Stereotypes Research Articles

Weight Stereotypes and Behavioral Intentions toward Thin and Fat Peers among White and Hispanic Adolescents

Purpose This study examined weight stereotypes among White and Hispanic youth. Specific objectives were to: (a) document stereotyped beliefs about fat vs. thin peers; (b) examine the extent to which stereotyped beliefs contribute to behavioral intentions toward fat vs. thin peers; and (c) explore potential differences in weight stereotypes and behavioral intentions in White and Hispanic youth. Methods Participants, 157 Hispanic and 117 White middle school students, completed a demographic and background survey, the Fat Stereotypes Questionnaire (FSQ), Adjective Checklist, and Shared Activities Questionnaire (SAQ). Results Participants endorsed weight-related stereotypes, which were predictive of their social, academic, and recreation behavioral intentions. Participants indicated greater willingness to engage in social ( p < .001), academic ( p < .05), and recreational ( p < .001) activities with thin vs. fat peers. Few differences were found between White and Hispanic adolescents. Conclusions The results of this study highlight the ubiquitous nature of stereotyped beliefs about fat youth. Fat youth are considered unhealthy, lazy, and socially inept by their peers. Such stereotypes influence a variety of behavioral intentions and may contribute to discriminatory behaviors and difficult peer relationships. Additional research focused on weight stereotypes and peer relationships is needed.

Television Situation Comedies: Female Weight, Male Negative Comments, and Audience Reactions

A content analysis of 18 prime-time television situation comedies (two episodes each) examined the body weights of 37 central female characters (92% White, 8% Black), the negative comments they received from male characters about their weight or bodies, and the audience reactions (e.g., laughter) following the negative comments. It was found that (a) below-average weight females were overrepresented in the programs, (b) the heavier the female character, the significantly more negative comments were made about or to her, and (c) negative comments were significantly associated with audience reactions. These results indicate that situation comedies present males making derogatory remarks about heavier women's weights and bodies, with this behavior being reinforced by audience laughter. This combination of thinness modeling and vicarious reinforcement likely contributes to the internalization of gender and weight stereotypes which deleteriously affect the health of female adolescents.