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Public beliefs about causes of obesity in the USA and in Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Olaf von dem Knesebeck

    (University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf)

  • Daniel Lüdecke

    (University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf)

  • Claudia Luck-Sikorski

    (SRH, University of Applied Health Sciences)

  • Tae Jun Kim

    (University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf)

Abstract

Objectives Differences in public beliefs about causes of obesity between the USA and Germany are analyzed. We additionally examine the relevance of social characteristics of individuals with obesity for causal attributions in the two countries. Methods National telephone surveys were conducted in both countries (total sample = 2802). Vignettes describing a person with obesity were used and varied according to gender, migration status, and occupational position. Beliefs about causes of obesity were assessed by 12 items, representing four dimensions (‘sociocultural causes’, ‘behavior-related causes’, ‘somatic and psychological causes,’ and ‘educational and financial causes’). Results Respondents from the USA more strongly support sociocultural as well as educational and financial causes of obesity. When the person with obesity has a low occupational position or is a migrant, sociocultural causes are considered more important, whereas agreement to behavioral as well as somatic and psychological factors is less pronounced. Conclusions In the USA, external causal attributions (i.e., causes that are beyond individual’s control) seem to play a more important role than in Germany. In both countries, public causal beliefs about obesity vary according to social characteristics of the person afflicted.

Suggested Citation

  • Olaf von dem Knesebeck & Daniel Lüdecke & Claudia Luck-Sikorski & Tae Jun Kim, 2019. "Public beliefs about causes of obesity in the USA and in Germany," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 64(8), pages 1139-1146, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijphth:v:64:y:2019:i:8:d:10.1007_s00038-019-01295-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s00038-019-01295-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Olaf von dem Knesebeck & Nico Vonneilich & Tae Jun Kim, 2018. "Public awareness of poverty as a determinant of health: survey results from 23 countries," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 63(2), pages 165-172, March.
    2. Puhl, R.M. & Heuer, C.A., 2010. "Obesity stigma: Important considerations for public health," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(6), pages 1019-1028.
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    1. Wojciech Styk & Ewa Wojtowicz & Szymon Zmorzynski, 2022. "Reliable Knowledge about Obesity Risk, Rather Than Personality, Is Associated with Positive Beliefs towards Obese People: Investigating Attitudes and Beliefs about Obesity, and Validating the Polish V," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-15, November.

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