244934 Differences in fat bias and body image perception among African American college students

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Jaesin Sa, PhD , Center for Health Disparities, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD
Pamela Scott-johnson, PhD , Department of Psychology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Tracy Sbrocco, PhD , Center for Health Disparities, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
Background: Overweight and obesity are epidemic in the United States, particularly among minority populations. Overweight or “being big” is accepted among many African Americans. Consequently, preventing obesity in order to reduce obesity comorbidities requires a better understanding of community level factors contributing to overweight in young adulthood. The purpose of this investigation was to identify differences in fat acceptance and body image perception among African American college students. Methods: 229 African American college-aged males and females participated in a survey in 2010. The Universal Measure of Bias of Fat (UMBFAT) that has four subscales (negative judgment, distance, attraction, and equal rights) was used. To compute a body-image discrepancy score, participants were asked to provide their height and weight and to select a silhouette from the Figure Rating Scale that represented their current body image. Results: Females were more likely to negatively judge fat people (adjusted odds ratio = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.37, 4.32) than their male counterparts. Both males (p = .013) and females (p = .002) perceived themselves as thinner than their current size measured by body mass index (BMI). In comparison with participants with normal weight, those with above normal weight were more likely to perceive themselves as thinner than their current size (odds ratio = 3.00, 95% CI = 1.68, 5.35). Conclusions: This study provides important insights into interventions reducing weight bias and into educational efforts helping African American college students understand the risks associated with perceiving themselves as thinner.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related education
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Discuss predictors of fat bias and how gender differences in fat acceptance impact health promotion and well-being. Compare differences in body image perception among BMI groups. Discuss more effective strategies for bringing awareness about negative health outcomes associated with fat bias and inaccuracy in perceptions about body weight among African American college students

Keywords: African American, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I do not have any financial, professional, or personal relationship that might potentially bias and/or impact the content of the educational activity/session.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.