Body Size Stigmatization in Preschool Children: The Role of Control Attributions

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Abstract
Objective The current study assessed preschool-age children’s control attributions for weight and the relationship of these attributions to attitudes and behavioral intentions toward children of different body sizes. Methods Forty-two children (mean age = 5.2 years) were interviewed about the adjectives they attributed to figures of different sizes, their preference for size in playmates, and their beliefs about children’s ability to control their own weight. Results Adjective ratings for obese figures were the most negative, with no differences found for thin and average figures; the heaviest figure was also chosen less often than other figures to be a playmate. Internal attributions of control for weight were related to less positive adjective ratings for the heavier figure but not to children’s friendship selections. Conclusion Results suggest that the relationship between body size stigmatization and control attributions are consistent with attribution theory for young children. Practical implications of these results and possible interventions are discussed.

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