Parental support for policy actions to reduce weight stigma toward youth in schools and children's television programs: trends from 2011 to 2013.

BACKGROUND

Despite the pervasiveness and negative physical and psychosocial implications of weight-based victimization (WBV) in youth, antibullying polices in schools rarely address this issue. Additionally, children's media perpetuates weight stigma, but regulation of stigmatizing media content is nonexistent.

METHODS

In 2011-2013, a diverse national sample of 2185 parents (n=716 in 2011, 755 in 2012, and 714 in 2013) was analyzed to evaluate parental support for four proposed policies across the 3 years. Actions addressed (1) strengthening policies to reduce weight stigma, (2) media portrayals of children with diverse body sizes, (3) media portrayals of such children engaged in healthy behaviors, and (4) antibullying policies in schools. Chi-square tests with Bonferroni's corrections and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Across time, support for policies to address weight stigma remained consistent or increased, primarily in 2012-2013. At least 86% of participants consistently favored implementing antibullying policies in schools. Parents became increasingly supportive of policies regulating television content to positively portray children of diverse body sizes and show such children engaged in health behaviors, as well as establishing weight-related antibullying policies. Specific predictors of support included gender, race, and political affiliation.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a consistent and high level of parental support for weight stigma-related policies, particularly for antibullying policies. Findings can inform development of policies to rectify health and social disparities faced by overweight and obese youth.