Weight bias against women in a university acceptance scenario.
This study examined weight bias against women in a hypothetical university acceptance scenario. One-hundred-and-ninety-eight volunteers from the community in Britain completed a weight bias measure in which they were asked to select the woman they were most and least likely to select for a place at university from an array of figures varying in body size. Participants also completed the Anti-Fat Attitudes Survey, the Short-Form of the Fat Phobia Scale, the Attitudes Toward Obese Persons Scale, and the Beliefs About Obese Persons Scale. Results showed that participants were biased against both obese (> 30 kg/m(2)) and emaciated (<15 kg/m(2)) women. Further analyses showed that weight bias was only significantly predicted by greater antipathy toward fat persons and more negative attitudes toward obese persons. These results provide evidence that the general public hold biased beliefs about access to higher educational opportunities as a function of the body size of applicants.
a University of Westminster, HELP University College.
Viren
V
Swami
Rachael
R
Monk
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001290:Attitude; D049628:Body Size; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D011287:Prejudice / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011581:Psychological Tests; D063507:Sexism / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
anti-fat attitudes; individual differences; obesity stigma; underweight stigma; weight bias