Journal of Pediatric Psychology, Vol. 25, No. 3, 2000, pp. 137-145
© 2000 Society of Pediatric Psychology
Special Section: Peer Relationships |
Children's Attitudes and Behavioral Intentions Toward a Peer Presented as Obese: Does a Medical Explanation for the Obesity Make a Difference?
The University of Memphis
All correspondence should be sent to Sam B. Morgan, Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38138. E-mail: sam-morgan{at}mail.psych.memphis.edu .
Objective: To examine the effect of information on children's attitudes and behavioral intentions toward a peer presented as obese.
Methods: Children (N = 184) were randomly assigned to observe a video of a boy or girl in one of three conditions: average-weight, obese, obese with medical information explaining the obesity. They rated stereotypical attitudes on the Adjective Checklist and behavioral intentions on the Shared Activities Questionnaire (SAQ-B).
Results: Ratings were generally more favorable for the average-weight than for the obese condition. However, provision of medical information had a positive effect on attitudes toward the obese peer only for younger children and a negative effect on willingness of older children to share academic activities with the peer. Boys and girls showed more positive behavioral intentions toward the same-sex target child regardless of obesity condition.
Conclusions: Information explaining obesity has a minimal positive effect on children's attitudes and behavioral intentions toward a peer presented as obese.
Key words: childhood obesity; attitudes; behavioral intentions.
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