Qualitative Research About Attributions, Narratives, and Support for Obesity Policy, 2008
IntroductionSuccessful efforts to reduce obesity will require public policy strategies that target both individuals and external factors such as social conditions, economic circumstances, and physical environments. Public opinion data suggest that many policy changes to reduce obesity are likely to...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
2011-03-01
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| Series: | Preventing Chronic Disease |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2011/mar/10_0067.htm |
| _version_ | 1827776890462535680 |
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| author | Jeff Niederdeppe, PhD Stephanie A. Robert, PhD David A. Kindig, PhD |
| author_facet | Jeff Niederdeppe, PhD Stephanie A. Robert, PhD David A. Kindig, PhD |
| author_sort | Jeff Niederdeppe, PhD |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionSuccessful efforts to reduce obesity will require public policy strategies that target both individuals and external factors such as social conditions, economic circumstances, and physical environments. Public opinion data suggest that many policy changes to reduce obesity are likely to face public resistance.MethodsWe conducted 4 focus groups involving 33 adults living in or near a midsized Midwestern city in July 2008. Participants were assigned to the focus groups on the basis of self-reported political ideology. We used a semistructured discussion guide to 1) better understand public perceptions of obesity and 2) assess the promise of narratives as a strategy to stimulate meaningful discussion about obesity-related policy change.ResultsParticipants viewed internal factors as primary causes of obesity. Despite substantial acknowledgment of external causes of obesity, many participants — particularly political conservatives — were resistant to external policy solutions for the problem. Across the political spectrum, participants responded more favorably to a short narrative emphasizing barriers to reducing adult obesity than a story emphasizing barriers to reducing childhood obesity.ConclusionThis study provides a deeper context for understanding public perceptions about obesity. Some types of narratives appear promising for promoting support for policy solutions to reduce obesity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T14:10:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e6e006c2339741d0b1cd66ae9101956f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1545-1151 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T14:10:39Z |
| publishDate | 2011-03-01 |
| publisher | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Preventing Chronic Disease |
| spelling | doaj.art-e6e006c2339741d0b1cd66ae9101956f2023-11-02T00:28:11ZengCenters for Disease Control and PreventionPreventing Chronic Disease1545-11512011-03-0182Qualitative Research About Attributions, Narratives, and Support for Obesity Policy, 2008Jeff Niederdeppe, PhDStephanie A. Robert, PhDDavid A. Kindig, PhDIntroductionSuccessful efforts to reduce obesity will require public policy strategies that target both individuals and external factors such as social conditions, economic circumstances, and physical environments. Public opinion data suggest that many policy changes to reduce obesity are likely to face public resistance.MethodsWe conducted 4 focus groups involving 33 adults living in or near a midsized Midwestern city in July 2008. Participants were assigned to the focus groups on the basis of self-reported political ideology. We used a semistructured discussion guide to 1) better understand public perceptions of obesity and 2) assess the promise of narratives as a strategy to stimulate meaningful discussion about obesity-related policy change.ResultsParticipants viewed internal factors as primary causes of obesity. Despite substantial acknowledgment of external causes of obesity, many participants — particularly political conservatives — were resistant to external policy solutions for the problem. Across the political spectrum, participants responded more favorably to a short narrative emphasizing barriers to reducing adult obesity than a story emphasizing barriers to reducing childhood obesity.ConclusionThis study provides a deeper context for understanding public perceptions about obesity. Some types of narratives appear promising for promoting support for policy solutions to reduce obesity.http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2011/mar/10_0067.htmobesityqualitative researchobesity policy |
| spellingShingle | Jeff Niederdeppe, PhD Stephanie A. Robert, PhD David A. Kindig, PhD Qualitative Research About Attributions, Narratives, and Support for Obesity Policy, 2008 Preventing Chronic Disease obesity qualitative research obesity policy |
| title | Qualitative Research About Attributions, Narratives, and Support for Obesity Policy, 2008 |
| title_full | Qualitative Research About Attributions, Narratives, and Support for Obesity Policy, 2008 |
| title_fullStr | Qualitative Research About Attributions, Narratives, and Support for Obesity Policy, 2008 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Qualitative Research About Attributions, Narratives, and Support for Obesity Policy, 2008 |
| title_short | Qualitative Research About Attributions, Narratives, and Support for Obesity Policy, 2008 |
| title_sort | qualitative research about attributions narratives and support for obesity policy 2008 |
| topic | obesity qualitative research obesity policy |
| url | http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2011/mar/10_0067.htm |
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