Body image and explicit and implicit anti-fat attitudes: the mediating role of physical appearance comparisons.
Prejudice against overweight people is rife. However, there is a paucity of research on the underlying reasons for it. In two studies the relationship between body image, the tendency to make physical appearance-related comparisons (PACS), and both explicit and implicit anti-fat attitudes was examined. In Study 1 (n = 227) people with a high tendency to make physical appearance-related comparisons (high PACS scorers) reported lower self-appearance evaluation, but higher appearance orientation and explicit anti-fat attitudes. The PACS fully mediated the relationship between appearance orientation and explicit anti-fat attitudes. Study 2 (n = 134) found that the PACS also mediated the relationship between appearance orientation and implicit anti-fat attitudes. Thus, individual differences in factors such as body image and the tendency to make appearance-related comparisons, appear to play a central role in both explicit and implicit anti-fat attitudes.
O'Brien
Kerry S
KS
School of Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. kobrien@uow.edu.au
Hunter
John A
JA
Halberstadt
Jamin
J
Anderson
Jeremy
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007600:Judgment; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology*; D011287:Prejudice; D012649:Self Concept; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires