Scheduled for RCB Oral Presentations III, Saturday, April 16, 2005, 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM, Convention Center: N226


Fatism: An Exploratory Study of Discrimation Toward Obese People Among College-Aged Participants

Vanessa Emily Anderson, Metter, GA and Helen M. Graf, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA

The purpose of this study was to accurately assess discrimination levels toward obese people among college students in a mid-size university in the Southeastern portion of the U.S. Obesity has risen at an alarming rate during the past 20 years(CDC, 2004). It has become one of today's most blatantly visible-yet most neglected public health problems(WHO, 2003). The overall prevalence of obesity among U.S. adutls increased to 20.9% in 2001, which shows an 74% increase since 1991 (CDC, 2003). A descriptive, quantitative, one-shot case study research methoodolgy was conducted. The summated rating scale to determine discrimination level was completed by 106 students. Face content validity was established for the scale, and Cronbach Alpha reliability was 0.7063. Descriptive (frequency/percentiles) and interential statistics (ANOVA) reported means and tested for statistical significance. 48.1% of participants indicated that they get angry when obese people are left out of discussions. 41.5% of participants indicated they do not believe attractive people lead more fulfilling lives than unattractive people. 49.5% of participants do sympathize with people who are physically obese. According to ANOVAS run on this data, there were no reported significant differences (p<.05) for attitudes toward obese people as related to height, weight, gender, race, or B.M.I. There was, however, a significant difference in a question (I am extremely satisfied with my outward, physical appearance) as compared to race. The significant value for this comparison was .045; with African Americans have a better self-perceoption of physical appearance. Overall, the study demonstrated that most college students were not discrimatory toward obese people.

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