Effects of Obesity on Psychosocial Functioning Across Ethnic Background
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Authors
Hale, Theresa
Issue Date
2011
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Research has shown stigmatizing experiences of discrimination and oppression based on weight
have a significant effect on the psychological functioning of both children and adults. Whether
these experiences occur in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood, they manifest themselves in
several different conditions. Depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, and
binge eating disorder are examples of the psychological conditions typically seen among those
who are overweight and obese. This proposed study will test the effects of cultural attitudes
towards weight on the psychological functioning of overweight and obese females. Cultural
environments affect weight-based discrimination, which leads to disordered psychological
functioning in many situations. For example, Caucasian Americans tend to have much more
negative views of overweight and obese individuals due to beliefs about the controllability of
weight than the African American community. Additionally, because. of the influence of other
racially based stigmas, African Americans are less likely to discriminate others based on weight.
Therefore, it was hypothesized that less disordered psychological functioning would be found
among African Americans compared to Caucasian Americans.
Description
iv, 38 p.
Citation
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