ABSTRACT
Research studies have been done and discussions have been held of the attitudes of nonobese people, obese people, children, educators, employers, and professionals. This chapter summarizes this research, with an emphasis on variables correlated with these attitudes and beliefs. It offers some putative explanations for ethnic and social class differences in obesity rates, that material was covered in more detail by C. S. W. Rand. About 60% of overweight children believe obesity is the fault of the individual. Data indicate that the negative attitudes toward obesity prevalent in the United States are even found in young children, usually becoming apparent prior to age 7. In the United States, the prevalence of obesity among black women is approximately twice that among white women, although no substantial differences exists between black and white men. Some studies have suggested positive associations, lack of stigmatization, or less stigmatization of obesity among some African Americans, Mexican Americans, and Puerto Ricans living in the United States.
