Lay beliefs about the perceived harmfulness of excess weight: Influence of weight status and the cause of weight

Health campaigns often emphasise the association between excess weight and poor health. Past research suggests that whether an individual's excess weight is viewed as harmful is partially explained by the quantity of excess weight. The present research explored whether the purported cause of excess weight also influences its perceived harmfulness. Across two studies (total N = 577), participants read information about target individuals whose excess weight was caused by different factors (unhealthy lifestyle vs. medical condition). Participants rated the extent to which the target's weight was harmful and also recommended health-related behaviours to the target. For the target with overweight, when her weight was described as being caused by unhealthy behaviours as opposed to a medical condition, her weight was rated as more harmful, and she was recommended to engage in more healthy behaviours. For the target with obesity, her weight was viewed as harmful irrespective of its described cause. Compared with the target with overweight, the weight of the target with obesity was rated as more harmful and she was recommended to diet more. Perceptions of the harmfulness of 'overweight' are influenced by the purported cause of that overweight, whereas obesity itself is viewed as harmful, regardless of the cause.

Automated summary

This research found that people's perceptions of the harmfulness of excess weight are influenced by its cause. When excess weight was caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, it was perceived as more harmful and individuals were recommended to engage in healthier behaviors. However, obesity itself was viewed as harmful regardless of its cause, and individuals were recommended to go on a diet.