Weight stereotypes and behavioral intentions toward thin and fat peers among White and Hispanic adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Greenleaf
Christy
C
Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion, and Recreation, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76205, USA. cgreenleaf@coe.unt.edu
Chambliss
Heather
H
Rhea
Deborah J
DJ
Martin
Scott B
SB
Morrow
James R
JR
D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D050177:Overweight; D011287:Prejudice; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*