As the number of overweight and obese individuals has increased, so has anti-fat prejudice. Estimates suggest that weight-based discrimination has increased by 66% since 2000 and that anti-fat bias rates are equivalent to that of racial discrimination. Fat bias data among college students is limited. This study investigated the perceptions and attitudes of college students toward themselves, others, and “fat” people.
Method:
Participants were 653 undergraduate students recruited at a large public university in the southwest US. Participants responded to a 3-section survey in which they reported demographic information, self-perceptions of health variables and body size, and perceptions of “others” body size. They also responded to the 12-item Anti-Fat Attitudes Questionnaire which measures prejudice toward fat people (Dislike), the individual’s self-relevant concerns about fatness (Fear of Fatness), and belief in the controllability of weight (Willpower).
Analysis/Results:
Participants rated their level of fitness, diet, and body fat relatively high (M=6.21/10, M=5.83/10, and M=6.34/10), respectively. Satisfaction with level of body fat was also relatively high, M=6.4/10.
When presented with a series of male and female figures ranging from 1=overly skinny and 9=overly fat, the average male self-perception was 4.28 while the average female was 3.93. When asked to identify their “ideal” partner, the average for males was 3.79 and the average for females was 3.69. Participants were also asked to identify several “ideal” members of the work force. The average scores ranged from low scores for doctors (M=3.95) and supervisors (M=4.79) to higher scores for custodians (M=5.58) and plumbers (M=6.62).
With regard to the Anti-Fat Attitudes Questionnaire, the average Dislike score was low (M=2.32/9) while scores for Fear of Fatness and Willpower were higher, M=5.72/9 and M=6.12/9, respectively. Significant differences were found between the genders for scores on the subscales, Dislike, t(651)=5.58, p=.000; Fear of Fatness, (651)=-4.12, p=.000; and Willpower, (651)=3.83, p=.000. Males indicated a higher level of Dislike (M=2.74) compared to females (M=1.95). Males also reported higher scores for Willpower (M=6.44) compared to females (M=5.85) indicating the feeling that fat people are weak-willed. Females (M= 6.14) indicated higher levels of Fear of Fat compared to males (M=5.22).
Conclusions:
The findings indicate that fat bias exists among college students, and that significant gender differences also exist. Males were more fat biased than females. Both genders were satisfied with their level of body fat and perceived their physique as positive. Interestingly, fat bias increased as the level of professional decreased among participants.