Labeling obesity as a disease may have psychological costs

Jane Stevens 1/28/148:08 PM

Messages that describe obesity as a disease may undermine healthy behaviors and beliefs among obese individuals, according to a new study published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.

The findings show that obese individuals exposed to such messages placed less importance on health-focused dieting and reported less concern about weight. These beliefs, in turn, predicted unhealthier food choices.

Psychological scientists Crystal Hoyt and Jeni Burnette of the University of Richmond and Lisa Auster-Gussman of the University of Minnesota were interested in exploring the effects of health and diet messaging after the American Medical Association (AMA) declared obesity a disease in June 2013.

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-01-obesity-disease-psychological.html

Abstract in Psychological Science: “Obesity Is a Disease” -- Examining the Self-Regulatory Impact of This Public-Health Message

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