The Impact of Genetic Information about Obesity on Weight-Related Stigma

Obese individuals are highly stigmatized because of their weight and have been shown to internalize this weight bias which leads to negative physical and emotional well-being. It has been shown that genetic factors influence susceptibility to obesity. The aim of this study was to determine if genetic information about obesity would decrease obesity stigma and internalized weight bias compared to environment or gene-environment obesity causal information. Interest in genetic testing for obesity risk was also assessed. An online marketing research group was used to recruit 1207 participants. Overall, genetic information did not decrease or increase obesity stigma or internalized weight bias compared to non-genetic information. Two-thirds of participants were interested in genetic testing for obesity risk in themselves and their children. This study outlines the difficulty in reducing obesity stigma. Exploration of why people are willing to consider genetic testing for obesity risk in themselves and their children is warranted.