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Objectives. This study examined the distribution and individual characteristics of body types on prime-time television.
Methods. Five episodes of each of the 10 top-rated prime-time fictional programs on 6 broadcast networks during the 1999-2000 season were quantitatively analyzed.
Results. Of 1018 major television characters, 14% of females and 24% of males were overweight or obese, less than half their percentages in the general population. Overweight and obese females were less likely to be considered attractive, to interact with romantic partners, or to display physical affection. Overweight and obese males were less likely to interact with romantic partners and friends or to talk about dating and were more likely to be shown eating.
Conclusions. Overweight and obese television characters are associated with specific negative characteristics. (Am J Public Health. 2003;93:1342-1348)
Obesity poses a major public health challenge. Surveys continue to show increased mtcs of obesity both in the United States, where rates increased 50% between 1991 and 1998, and in most other countries around the world.1-4 The problem is especially alarming in children.5,6 In 1993, McGinnis and Foege estimated that 300 000 premature deaths attributable to poor diet and physical inactivity occurred annually in the United States, as compared with 500 000 deaths attributable to smoking.7 A more recent analysis revealed that obesity is associated with worse health-related quality of life and higher rates of chronic medical conditions than is lifetime smoking, poverty, or problem drinking.8
The damaging consequences of obesity in terms of health and well-being are considerable.4,8,9 They result from the physical effects of the condition but also arc influenced by the social ramifications of being overweight.10-13 Negative stereotypes are attached to obese individuals, who are often thought to be undisciplined, dishonest, sloppy, ugly, socially unattractive, sexually unskilled, and less likely to do productive work, among other attributes.14,15 The result is bias and discrimination aimed at overweight persons in important areas of living, including education, employment, and medical care.16
Stigma and discrimination arc key social and environmental factors that contribute to health.17 Research shows that poor health, diminished quality of life, lowered access to health services, reluctance to seek health care, and possibly poorer care received from providers are related to discrimination based on race, age, and gender.17-22 Because obese persons may face...