[Reduction of stigma against obese people: effects of an educational film].
Overweight and obesity are prevalent in our society, and obese people are often stigmatized. The present study addressed effects of an intervention to reduce prejudice against obese people. 602 students at the mean age of 15.68 +/- 3.86 years watched a video of 20 minutes length that showed interviews with obese adolescents. In the interviews, the adolescents talked about their problems with being discriminated for weight and about reasons for being overweight. The intervention was performed in order to enhance understanding for obese people's problems and to improve attitudes towards them. Changes in attitudes were measured with a questionnaire presented before and three months after the video intervention. Although there was an increased understanding of the problems of obese people, students also showed stronger prejudice against them. Differential effects were obeserved for age, sex, and body mass index. Older and female participants showed a more positive attitude after the intervention.
Hennings
Anika
A
Fachbereich Psychologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg.
Hilbert
Anja
A
Thomas
Jobst
J
Siegfried
Wolfgang
W
Rief
Winfried
W
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009040:Motion Pictures; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D011287:Prejudice; D013240:Stereotyping