Qualitative Research About Attributions, Narratives, and Support for Obesity Policy, 2008

Details

• Journal Article:
  Preventing Chronic Disease (PCD)
• Personal Author:
  Niederdeppe, Jeff ; Robert, Stephanie A. ; Kindig, David A.
• Description:
  Introduction
  
  Successful efforts to reduce obesity will require public policy strategies that target both individuals and external factors such as social conditions, economic circumstances, and physical environments. Public opinion data suggest that many policy changes to reduce obesity are likely to face public resistance.
  
  Methods
  
  We conducted 4 focus groups involving 33 adults living in or near a midsized Midwestern city in July 2008. Participants were assigned to the focus groups on the basis of self-reported political ideology. We used a semi structured discussion guide to 1) better understand public perceptions of obesity and 2) assess the promise of narratives as a strategy to stimulate meaningful discussion about obesity-related policy change.
  
  Results
  
  Participants viewed internal factors as primary causes of obesity. Despite substantial acknowledgment of external causes of obesity, many participants — particularly political conservatives — were resistant to external policy solutions for the problem. Across the political spectrum, participants responded more favorably to a short narrative emphasizing barriers to reducing adult obesity than a story emphasizing barriers to reducing childhood obesity.
  
  Conclusion
  
  This study provides a deeper context for understanding public perceptions about obesity. Some types of narratives appear promising for promoting support for policy solutions to reduce obesity.
  
  
• Subjects:
  Adult Aged Aged, 80 And Over Diet Female Focus Groups Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Health Policy Humans Male Middle Aged Obesity Risk Factors Socioeconomic Factors

  More +
• Source:
  Prev Chronic Dis. 8(2).
• ISSN:
  1545-1151
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  United States
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  8
• Issue:
  2
• Collection(s):
  Preventing Chronic Disease
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:6470cae7ee91afda69dec5051141f06c9ebf74b781ca5635d6a0e793da7eeea0897f865585e6c8b2bbb0d3b58592ae4390f14975d226e9f3ad237449ebb851db
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/20562/cdc_20562_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 457.52 KB ]