The stigma of obesity and its public health implications
Author Information
Author(s): Claudia Sikorski, Melanie Luppa, Marie Kaiser, Heide Glaesmer, Georg Schomerus, Hans-Helmut König, Steffi Riedel-Heller
Primary Institution: Leipzig University Medical Center
Hypothesis
How does the lay public perceive people with obesity and what factors influence their support for interventions?
Conclusion
The study highlights a significant level of stigmatization towards obese individuals and calls for more research to understand public attitudes.
Supporting Evidence
- About a quarter of the German population displays definite stigmatizing attitudes towards obesity.
- Support for preventive measures is highest for childhood prevention and informational campaigns.
- Perceived causes of obesity often emphasize personal responsibility over external factors.
Takeaway
Many people think negatively about obese individuals, which can make it harder for them to get help and support.
Methodology
A systematic literature search was conducted to find studies on stigmatizing attitudes, causal beliefs, and prevention support regarding obesity.
Potential Biases
Different measures used to assess stigma make comparisons difficult.
Limitations
Only a limited number of studies were included, which restricts the ability to generalize findings.
Participant Demographics
The studies included adults aged 18 and older, with a mean age of 45.9 years.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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