Graduate Program

Family and Consumer Studies

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2006

Thesis Director

Melanie Burns

Thesis Committee Member

Karla Kennedy-Hagan

Thesis Committee Member

Kathleen O'Rourke

Abstract

Health professionals are often the main line of obesity defense and targeted as possessing antifat bias; therefore, in an effort to address this issue, the depth of antifat bias among undergraduate dietetic students was analyzed. Student participation in this study was requested from across the United States, with 1099 students participating in the study and completing a web-based, self-administered questionnaire. The data indicated that a lower antifat attitude endorsement is present among current undergraduate dietetic students; however, five statements related specifically to the dietetics profession came close to showing strong antifat attitude endorsement. The majority of students classified their perceived body weights as normal weight and the student's BMI classifications also confirmed this perception. The majority of undergraduate dietetic students believed they had a diet low in fat, exercised more than 5 times a week for longer than 30 minutes a day, and consumed more than 5 servings of fruits & vegetables a day. Undergraduate education, specifically counseling, should address the impact negative attitudes and prejudice among health professionals has on the ability to properly treat an obese client. Studies specifically focusing on antifat bias among males and other health professionals can provide more information that will be useful when developing counseling techniques and strategies to deal with the obesity epidemic.

Download

Share

COinS