Recorded presentation

David Moore, PhD, Harvey Hartman, BS, Laurie Demeritt, MBA, Michelle Barry, PhD, Jarrett Paschel, PhD, and James Richardson, PhD. The Hartman Group, 1621 114th Ave SE, Suite 105, Bellevue, WA 98004, (425)452-0818, davem@hartman-group.com

The motivation to lose weight among overweight and obese individuals is a product of individual weight conditions, cultural standards of ideal body weight, and individual perceptions of “normal” body weight. While recognition of the need to lose weight is strongly, positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) and other physical indicators of body fat, such recognition is not sufficient to motivate an individual to pursue a weight loss program. Societal norms of ideal body weight, which vary across subpopulations defined by race, ethnicity, gender, age and other dimensions, also establish standards against which individuals assess their weight. Finally, an individual’s body image is conditioned on acceptance of what is personally “normal” or realistic rather than culturally ideal. Our research investigates the impact of these three levels of influence (i.e., physical weight condition or BMI, cultural body image ideals, self-assessments of body image) on individual dieting motivations and behavior. In-depth interviews and at-home food audits in conjunction with a nationally representative survey of 5000 adults allow us to detail race differentials in BMI, self-assessed weight condition, perception of others weight condition, dieting and other weight loss activities. We find that race differences in attitudes and behaviors related to weight are sensitive to differences in body image perceptions, independent of BMI. Members of different races do not approach weight management differently. Rather, different races use different cultural standards to arrive at what they consider realistic body images and these different standards influence their perceived need to lose weight.

Learning Objectives:

• The information in our presentation will enable attendees to recognize which social norms influence individual attitudes toward overweight and obesity, which, in turn, will help weight management counselors to tailor their advice to the needs of specific groups of individuals more effectively.

Keywords: Obesity, Culture

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation