THE PREVALENCE OF OBESITY STIGMATIZATION AMONG PRIVATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN SHAH ALAM, MALAYSIA

Abstract

Introduction: Stigma and discrimination toward obese person are pervasive and have created various consequences for their psychological and physical health. Various studies in American society showed obese person are negatively stereotyped. The aim of the study is to identifying the perceptions of students towards the obesity stigmatisation. Methods: This study used 300 students who will answer a self-administered questionnaire on obese stigmatization. A total of 150 male (50%) and 150 female (50%) are targeted in this research. The study used a convenience sampling method to collect the data using self-administered questionnaires Result: The findings showed that a total of 51% of the students had negative attitude towards obesity. There was a significant correlation between attitude towards obesity stigmatization and eating disorder with (r = 0.201) and between attitude and body image with (r = 0.245) Conclusion: A total of 51% of the students had negative attitude towards obesity. More health promotion and awareness on a balance diet and to understand the perspective view towards obesity stigmatization.

Keywords

• obesity, stigmatization, attitudes, emotional eating, body image