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No clear winner: effects of The Biggest Loser on the stigmatization of obese persons

Jina H Yoo1

  • 1Department of Communication, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Missouri, USA. yooji@umsl.edu

Health Communication
|June 30, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Watching reality TV shows like The Biggest Loser may reinforce negative obesity stereotypes. This viewing can lead to increased personal responsibility attribution for weight, amplifying obesity stigma among viewers.

Area of Science:

  • Media Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Health Communication

Background:

  • Limited research exists on reality TV's impact on obesity stereotypes.
  • The Orientation1-Stimulus-Orientation2-Response (O-S-O-R) model provides a framework for media effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine how watching "The Biggest Loser" influences viewers' perceptions of obesity.
  • To investigate the O-S-O-R model's applicability to media-induced obesity stigma.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the O-S-O-R model to analyze viewer responses to "The Biggest Loser."
  • Assessed weight concern, show consumption, locus of weight control, and personal responsibility attribution.

Main Results:

  • Higher weight concern correlated with increased viewing of "The Biggest Loser."
  • Viewing the show increased perceived personal control over weight.
  • Perceived control over weight led to attributing obesity to personal responsibility.
  • Attributing obesity to personal responsibility resulted in anti-fat attitudes.

Conclusions:

  • "The Biggest Loser" viewing can foster negative obesity stereotypes by emphasizing personal control.
  • Lifestyle transformation media may inadvertently amplify obesity stigma.
  • The O-S-O-R model effectively explains media effects on obesity stigma formation.

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