Jiménez-Cruz A, Castellón-Zaragoza AM, García-Gallardo JL, Bacardí-Gascón M, Hovell MF

Language: English
References: 31
Page: 84-91
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ABSTRACT

Introduction. It has been reported in industrialized countries that overweight or obesity is a stigmatizing condition. Negative attitudes towards obesity have been linked to incorrect beliefs about the causes of weight gain and the responsibilities of such overweight on obese people and their family.
Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the attitudes towards children with obesity by teachers and parents.
Material and Methods. Two-hundred and five teachers and eighty parents from two Mexico-USA border cities participated in the study. A questionnaire with 13 issues including attitudes towards the obese child was applied. Questions were grouped into three categories: Attitudes about features of the obese child, attitudes related to the care of the obese child, and beliefs about obesity self-control. Bivariate analyses and Chi Square test of associations were computed.
Results and Conclusions. Participants with normal Body Mass Index (BMI), and those who overestimated the role of self-control for loosing weight have more negative attitudes towards the obese child. Participants with normal BMI, and those with adequate perception of adults, boys and girls body image emphasized more on the lack of self-control of the obese child.

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