title: Web-based intervention for changing attitudes of obesity among current and future teachers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate attitude change among student teachers and schoolteachers when exposed to a Web-based educational module promoting size acceptance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects were randomly assigned to a control group or 1 of 4 treatment groups to evaluate the effect of module, presenter credibility, and/or image on attitudes of obesity and processes of change using the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) testing cognitive and psychological cues. On-line assessment occurred at the pretest, posttest, and 6-week follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Web-based.
  
  
  METHODS
  258 adults, mean age 26.8 +/- 10.2 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Module content included factors related to obesity, implications of weight loss efforts, classroom activities, and bias-free intervention techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Attitudes of obesity by the Anti-Fat Attitudes Test and the effect of the presenter using a bipolar rating scale.
  
  
  METHODS
  One-way repeated measures analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, and general post hoc analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Negative attitudes decreased in treatment groups between pretest to posttest (P < .001) and pretest to follow-up (P < or = .006). Unlike the credible "nonfat" presenter, exposure to the credible "fat" presenter positively influenced attitude change (P = .031).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On-line communication of size acceptance improved attitudes of obesity long term. The findings support the ELM. The module demonstrates promise for teacher training in size sensitivity.
authors.affiliation: Dental Hygiene, Section of Primary Care, The Ohio State University, 305 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43218, USA. hague.23@osu.edu
authors.forename: Anne L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Hague
authors.forename: Adrienne A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001290:Attitude; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology