Children's attitudes and behavioral intentions toward a peer presented as obese: does a medical explanation for the obesity make a difference?
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of information on children's attitudes and behavioral intentions toward a peer presented as obese.


METHODS
Children (N = 184) were randomly assigned to observe a video of a boy or girl in one of three conditions: average-weight, obese, obese with medical information explaining the obesity. They rated stereotypical attitudes on the Adjective Checklist and behavioral intentions on the Shared Activities Questionnaire (SAQ-B).


RESULTS
Ratings were generally more favorable for the average-weight than for the obese condition. However, provision of medical information had a positive effect on attitudes toward the obese peer only for younger children and a negative effect on willingness of older children to share academic activities with the peer. Boys and girls showed more positive behavioral intentions toward the same-sex target child regardless of obesity condition.


CONCLUSIONS
Information explaining obesity has a minimal positive effect on children's attitudes and behavioral intentions toward a peer presented as obese.
Bell
S K
SK
University of Memphis, Tennessee 38138, USA.
Morgan
S B
SB
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012928:Social Desirability; D013240:Stereotyping