Web-based intervention for changing attitudes of obesity among current and future teachers

To evaluate attitude change among student teachers and schoolteachers when exposed to a Web-based educational module promoting size acceptance.

Subjects were randomly assigned to a control group or 1 of 4 treatment groups to evaluate the effect of module, presenter credibility, and/or image on attitudes of obesity and processes of change using the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) testing cognitive and psychological cues. On-line assessment occurred at the pretest, posttest, and 6-week follow-up.

Web-based.

258 adults, mean age 26.8 +/- 10.2 years.

Module content included factors related to obesity, implications of weight loss efforts, classroom activities, and bias-free intervention techniques.

Attitudes of obesity by the Anti-Fat Attitudes Test and the effect of the presenter using a bipolar rating scale.

One-way repeated measures analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, and general post hoc analysis.

Negative attitudes decreased in treatment groups between pretest to posttest (P < .001) and pretest to follow-up (P < or = .006). Unlike the credible "nonfat" presenter, exposure to the credible "fat" presenter positively influenced attitude change (P = .031).

On-line communication of size acceptance improved attitudes of obesity long term. The findings support the ELM. The module demonstrates promise for teacher training in size sensitivity.