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Popular children are more likely to be average weight or thin, according to a new study from the University of Crete in Greece. Children in the study also were more likely to attribute positive characteristics to children of normal size, and negative qualities to overweight children.

• Researchers asked 414 children ages five to ten years old to look at pictures of three figures that varied only by size.
  
• The children tended to attribute positive qualities, such as athletic and artistic ability, to average weight and thin figures, and negative qualities to overweight children.
  
• All the children were asked to make a list of three children to invite to a party, and three that should not be invited.
  
• The popular children were more likely to have average or thin builds.

When asked to identify their own body size, 75 percent of overweight children placed themselves in the average weight category. Thin or average weight children overwhelmingly identified themselves correctly.

"This study highlights the need for early preventative educational programs, which address the high levels of anti-fat bias and social stigmatization of overweight or obese children and challenge the negative stereotypes involved," said lead author Dr. Eketerina Kornilaki.

This study was presented at the British Psychological Society's annual conference.

Labels: perceptions

Posted By: Aspen/CRC