Thin idealization as a mediator between appearance conversations with friends and negative attitudes towards obesity.

Abstract

The goal of this paper was to investigate firstly the relationship between negative attitudes toward obesity and the stigmatization of obese others. Relations among appearance conversations with friends, thin idealization and negative attitudes towards obesity were also examined in 481 Singaporean students aged 10-17 years from two primary schools and one secondary school. Using Baron and Kenny’s (1986) recommendations for mediator testing, thin idealization was found to fully mediate the relationship between appearance conversations with friends and negative attitudes towards obesity. The practical implications of the findings in the present study for intervention work were also discussed.