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NEWS
RELEASE
June 3, 2005
For immediate release
YOUNG STUDENTS REPORT DISTINCT STEREOTYPES
ABOUT
BODY SHAPE
“Thin and fat” attitudes shaped by ethnicity and gender early
on
NASHVILLE, Tenn.– - Middle school students have distinct views
on obesity stereotypes and antifat attitudes, and are apt to change
their
social behavior as a result. A study, presented today at the 52nd
American
College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tenn.,
showed teens’ perceptions of body image and attitudes are influenced
by gender and ethnicity.
The study involved 176 boys and 141 girls ranging from 11 to 16
years
of age. More than half were Hispanic, while 37 percent were Caucasian
and 11 percent were African-American. All students completed a
questionnaire
to assess perceived reasons children and adolescents are fat or obese.
A second questionnaire focused on body shape attitudes by presenting
the
students a thin or fat silhouette with a series of verbal descriptors
(e.g., “Has many friends” versus “Has no friends”),
and asked students to rate personal characteristics of the figure.
Next,
behavioral intentions were examined by asking students to indicate
whether
they would participate in specific activities with the thin versus fat
silhouette figures.
- Overall, students reported negative stereotypes for the fat
silhouettes,
including negative character assessment and poor health.
- Caucasian and Hispanic students had more positive responses toward
the thin figures and more negative responses toward the fat figures
- Boys were less willing than girls to spend time socially,
academically,
or recreationally with a person considered fat
- Caucasian and Hispanic students were less willing than
African-American
students to spend time socially, academically, or recreationally with
a person considered fat
Additionally, 14 percent of Caucasian, 18 percent of Hispanic, and
17
percent of African-American middle school students described
themselves
as overweight or obese. The top reasons students believed children and
adolescents are fat or obese were: (a) they eat too many calories
(73%);
(b) their parents let them eat junk food (69%); (c) they are lazy,
couch
potatoes (64%); and (d) they have access to machine dispensed junk
food
(63%).
“Antifat attitudes and stereotypes develop at a young age,”
said Heather Chambliss, Ph.D., lead author. “Teachers, parents,
and health professionals need to consider the physical and emotional
needs
of overweight youth and create enjoyable physical activity
opportunities
for all children, no matter their size or ability level. We need to
teach
that it is health, not size, that counts.
ACSM's 52nd Annual Meeting is going on now at the Gaylord Opryland
Resort
and Convention Center. For more information on the event, or to speak
with ACSM Communications and Public Information staff, please call
(615)
458-0996.
The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports
medicine
and exercise science organization in the world. More than 20,000
international,
national, and regional members are dedicated to promoting and
integrating
scientific research, education, and practical applications of sports
medicine
and exercise science to maintain and enhance physical performance,
fitness,
health, and quality of life.
-30-
NOTE: The conclusions outlined in this news release are those
of
the researchers only, and should not be construed as an official
statement
of the American College of Sports Medicine.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: ACSM’s 52nd Annual Meeting takes place
June 1-4, 2005. After June 6, please call the ACSM Communications and
Public Information office at (317) 637-9200 ext. 117 or 127.
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