Attitudes of Mahoning County Residents toward obesity and the obese person, by Martina Nicholas.

Abstract

This study used a descriptive correlational research design composed of a convenience sample of Mahoning County residents to identify attitudes toward obesity and the obese person. The sample was obtained from employers, health care workers and the general population. The study was conducted in Mahoning County and used the Bray Obesity Attitude Scale (1972) a tool well documented in terms of psychometric properties. In addition to the 47-item questionnaire, respondents were asked to provide sociodemographic data so that attitude scores could be compared to age, gender, level of education, ethnic background, and income. A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed to the sample. One hundred twelve questionnaires were completed and returned for a response rate of 45 percent. The personal sociodemographic data indicated that participants' ages ranged from 20 to 77 with a mean of 42. The ratio of men to women participants was 33 percent males to 67 percent females. From the educational data it was concluded that the majority of respondents held at least a college degree (63%). Information from the completed Bray Obesity Attitude Scale and the demographic questions provided correlative results which were used to determine attitudes of the people in the sample. The possible attitude scores ranged from 47 (least favorable attitude toward obesity) to 188 (highest favorable attitude toward obesity), with a mid point of 117.5 (neutral). Scores obtained in the study ranged from 99 to 167 with the mean score of 132.66. The analyses revealed that the participants had positive attitudes toward obesity. Attitude were correlated to education, age, income, gender, and ethnic background.