Effects of perceived weight discrimination on willingness to adopt unhealthy behaviours: influence of genomic information

• Published in: Psychology & health Vol. 31; no. 3; pp. 334 - 348
• Main Authors: Beekman, Janine B., Ferrer, Rebecca A., Klein, William M.P., Persky, Susan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Routledge 03.03.2016; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; Alcohol; Alcohol Drinking - psychology; Discrimination; doctor-patient interaction; Eating - psychology; Female; genomic information; Genomics; Health Behavior; Humans; Influence; Male; Middle Aged; obesity; Obesity - genetics; Obesity - psychology; Overweight - genetics; Overweight - psychology; personalised medicine; Physician-Patient Relations; Prejudice - psychology; weight and weight loss; Weight control; weight discrimination; Young Adult; doctor–patient interaction; personalised medicine; weight discrimination; weight and weight loss; genomic information; obesity
• ISSN: 0887-0446; 1476-8321
• DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2015.1099654

Objective: Weight-based discrimination negatively influences health, potentially via increased willingness to engage in unhealthful behaviours. This study examines whether the provision of genomic obesity information in a clinical context can lead to less willingness to engage in unhealthy eating and alcohol consumption through a mediated process including reduced perceptions of blame and discrimination. Design: A total of 201 overweight or obese women aged 20-50 interacted with a virtual physician in a simulated clinical primary care environment, which included physician-delivered information that emphasised either genomic or behavioural underpinnings of weight and weight loss. Main Outcome Measures: Perceived blame and weight discrimination from the doctor, and willingness to eat unhealthy foods and consume alcohol. Results: Controlling for BMI and race, participants who received genomic information perceived less blame from the doctor than participants who received behavioural information. In a serial multiple mediation model, reduced perceived blame was associated with less perceived discrimination, and in turn, lower willingness to eat unhealthy foods and drink alcohol. Conclusion: Providing patients with genomic information about weight and weight loss may positively influence interpersonal dynamics between patients and providers by reducing perceived blame and perceived discrimination. These improved dynamics, in turn, positively influence health cognitions.