Master's Theses

Document Type

Thesis - campus only access

Date of Award

Fall 2003

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

Advisor

Greg Turek

Abstract

The present study examined Antifat attitudes and Body Image concerning individual differences along gender, weight, and ethnicity. Researchers have concluded that how a person perceives his or her own body weight may affect that person's view about self and others (Rucker & Cash, 1991). Four scales were utilized to measure the perceptual (Body Figure Perception Questionnaire), affective (The Body Esteem Scale), cognitive (Attention to Body Shape Scale), and behavioral components (Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire) of body image. One scale (Antifat Attitudes Test) was utilized to measure antifat attitudes. One hundred and forty-five participants from Fort Hays State University participated in the present study (59 men and 86 women). Self-report of height and weight were used to calculate each participant's Body Mass Index (BMI). Results from the present study revealed men endorsed stronger antifat attitudes than women. Results also revealed that women were more dissatisfied with their body image than were men. Furthermore, overweight participants had higher levels of body image dissatisfaction than other weight groups. Overweight participants were also more likely to hold an overweight person responsible for his or her own weight. It was expected that the level of satisfaction a person had about his or her body image might in fact be related to the degree of endorsement of antifat attitudes. From this study, it can be concluded that dissatisfaction with body image may not have as strongly predicted antifat attitudes as expected. In general, results from the current study did not agree with related research.

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Rights

© 2003 Sara Runnion

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