Implicit theories of the causes of weight gain in adults

Implicit theories of the causes of weight gain in adults Nicole Ware School of Psychology, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, NSW 2795, AUSTRALIA Dr Rachel Dryer (rdryer@csu.edu.au) School of Psychology, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, NSW 2795, AUSTRALIA Abstract This study sought to explore the range of beliefs about weight gain and whether these beliefs varied according to personal weight management history. A questionnaire specifically designed for the study was completed by 376 participants (94 males, 282 females; mean age 43.65 years, SD=13.24). Principal component analysis identified five causal attribution factors which were interpreted as Lack-of-Self-Control, Lifestyle-Limitations, Psychological, Biological/Medical, and Modern-Living. The level of endorsement for these causal attribution factors suggested an acknowledgement of the multiple causes to weight gain. However, the most highly endorsed factor, Lack-of-Self Control, reflected the “commonsense” view of weight gain being a matter of overeating, under-exercising and lacking in self control. Personal weight management history was found to be associated with variations in beliefs with the more effort one had applied to weight management; the more highly they endorsed causes both within and outside of individual control. Keywords: implicit theories, causal explanations, weight gain, obesity. Introduction Obesity is considered a worldwide epidemic (World Health Organization [WHO], 2000) with over half the adult population in many countries classified as either overweight or obese (Bovbjerg, 2008; Lim, Norman, Clifton, & Noakes, 2008; Thorburn, 2005). Overweight and obesity are widely recognized as being associated with enormous psychological, health, and economic costs, both on individual and national scales (Stroebe, 2008). More recently it has been recognized that such costs occur with any level of weight gain. Increases in body weight of less than five kilograms have been found to be associated with increased disease load, with the associations occurring even within the healthy BMI range (Lim, et al., 2008; WHO, 2000). This has contributed to the WHO‟s (2000) decision to advocate the prevention of weight gain in adults as the key strategy in managing obesity. This strategy aims to prevent initial weight gain in normal weight adults, as well as preventing further weight gain in those who are already overweight or obese. At an individual level, prevention of weight gain is quantified as gain of less than five kilograms across adulthood (B. A. Swinburn, et al., 2004). Prevention of weight gain has now become a focus of public discussion and debate, with numerous theories of causes and solutions in the public arena (Faith, Fontaine, Baskin, & Allison, 2007). Individual changes are often asserted as solutions (Lombard, et al., 2009) along with a range of population scale strategies which include education campaigns to raise community awareness about the importance of healthy eating, healthy weight and physical activity; changes to urban design and land use to encourage physical activity; and reshaping the food supply to increase access to healthy food, restrict access to unhealthy foods and a regulation of the sugar, fat, and salt contents of foods (NOTF Obesity Working Group, 2009). Understanding the beliefs and attitudes regarding weight gain held within the community is extremely important for the acceptance and successful implementation of population-level interventions aimed at reducing weight gain (Lombard et al., 2009). Personal beliefs and attitudes about a psychological problem constitute an implicit theory (or explanatory model). An implicit theory contains the individual‟s understanding of the causes of the problem, the expected course and prognosis. Implicit theories arise from the individual‟s personal experiences, but are primarily mediated by the individual‟s social and cultural environment (Furnham, 1988). Many reasons for exploring implicit theories have been identified, particularly within a public health framework. The theories held by lay people may contain elements that have been previously overlooked by the scientific community. In addition, the experience of lay people may place them in a position to identify flaws and shortcomings in current scientific theories or models (Entwistle, Renfrew, Yearley, Forrester, & Lamont, 1998; Popay & Williams, 1996). Addressing such differences between lay knowledge and scientific research also helps to increase the community‟s perception of the relevance of research and its resulting policy, and hence the acceptance of interventions (Popay & Williams, 1996). Various studies have examined the beliefs about obesity amongst lay and professional groups such as doctors, nurses, dieticians, and teachers. These studies have generally found that most people did recognize multiple factors as contributing to obesity, but were more likely to recognize factors within the individual‟s control. For example, Ogden and Flanagan (2008) in their comparison of general practitioners and lay people found that behavioral causes of obesity (e.g., not enough exercise, eating too much, and too many unhealthy foods) were most strongly endorsed in both groups. Social causes of obesity such as a lack of education, and biological causes, were not strongly endorsed by either group. Okonkwo and While (2010), in a study involving University students, found reduced physical activity and the promotion and low cost of fast foods to be strongly endorsed, with genetics receiving the lowest endorsement.