title: Can merely learning about obesity genes affect eating behavior?
abstract: Public discourse on genetic predispositions for obesity has flourished in recent decades. In three studies, we investigated behaviorally-relevant correlates and consequences of a perceived genetic etiology for obesity. In Study 1, beliefs about etiological explanations for obesity were assessed. Stronger endorsement of genetic etiology was predictive of a belief that obese people have no control over their weight. In Study 2, beliefs about weight and its causes were assessed following a manipulation of the perceived underlying cause. Compared with a genetic attribution, a non-genetic physiological attribution led to increased perception of control over one's weight. In Study 3, participants read a fictional media report presenting either a genetic explanation, a psychosocial explanation, or no explanation (control) for obesity. Results indicated that participants who read the genetic explanation ate significantly more on a follow-up task. Taken together, these studies demonstrate potential effects of genetic attributions for obesity.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Brennan-MacCallum Bldg (A18), NSW 2006, Australia. Electronic address: ilan.dar-nimrod@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Ilan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dar-Nimrod
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
authors.forename: Benjamin Y
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Ruby
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Heine
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000523:psychology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D010465:Perception; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Etiological explanations for obesity; Genetic attributions; Genetic essentialism; Overeating behavior; Perceived control