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Portrayals of Overweight and Obese Individuals on Commercial Television

Author

Listed:
  • Greenberg, B.S.
  • Eastin, M.
  • Hofschire, L.
  • Lachlan, K.
  • Brownell, K.D.

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Greenberg, B.S. & Eastin, M. & Hofschire, L. & Lachlan, K. & Brownell, K.D., 2003. "Portrayals of Overweight and Obese Individuals on Commercial Television," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 93(8), pages 1342-1348.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:2003:93:8:1342-1348_4
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    Cited by:

    1. Frederick, David A. & Saguy, Abigail C. & Gruys, Kjerstin, 2016. "Culture, health, and bigotry: How exposure to cultural accounts of fatness shape attitudes about health risk, health policies, and weight-based prejudice," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 271-279.
    2. Melissa Martirano, 2020. "Bottom of the Pyramid Marketing," International Journal of Marketing Studies, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 10(4), pages 1-13, March.
    3. Levine, Emma E. & Schweitzer, Maurice E., 2015. "The affective and interpersonal consequences of obesity," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 66-84.
    4. Giovanni Castellini & Alessio Pellegrino & Livio Tarchi & Maria Calabrese & Maria Boddi & Valdo Ricca & Gianfranco Costanzo & Pietro Amedeo Modesti, 2022. "Body-Size Perception among First-Generation Chinese Migrants in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-10, May.
    5. Apryl A. Williams, 2017. "Fat People of Color : Emergent Intersectional Discourse Online," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 6(1), pages 1-16, February.
    6. Chai, Lei & Xue, Jia & Han, Ziqiang, 2020. "Excessive weight and academic performance among Chinese children and adolescents: Assessing the mediating effects of bullying victimization and self-rated health and life satisfaction," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    7. Gollust, Sarah E. & Eboh, Ijeoma & Barry, Colleen L., 2012. "Picturing obesity: Analyzing the social epidemiology of obesity conveyed through US news media images," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 74(10), pages 1544-1551.

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