Obese TV Characters Often Portrayed in Bad Light
Obese TV Characters Often Portrayed in Bad Light
Oct. 17, 2001 -- A new study presented at an obesity research meeting shows that television's often-negative portrayal of overweight people may be bringing a few laughs at the expense of almost half of the people in the U.S.
The study, which looked at overweight characters on all the major networks, showed that overweight and obese characters on TV have fewer romantic interactions, less contact with friends, and fewer leadership characteristics.
In addition, the Michigan State University study shows that larger women are more likely to show up on sitcoms than on shows dealing with more serious issues.
So, what's wrong with getting a few laughs about an overweight character involved in some madcap plot?
Well, maybe nothing, but other research shows that obesity may not merely be a problem of choosing not to be slim. Being overweight or obese can be a sign of negative underlying feelings, such as low self-esteem.
Thus, by portraying obese characters as unwanted and incapable of leadership, television may perpetuate these feelings and contribute to the vicious circle of feeling bad and overeating -- a problem that this country doesn't need, given the epidemic proportions of obesity.
Also, overweight people don't appear on television nearly as often as they do in real life.
Lead researcher Bradley S. Greenberg and colleagues, who presented the findings at the North American Association for the Study of Obesity in Quebec City, Quebec, found that though 25% of women in the U.S. are obese, they represent only 3% of characters on TV. And the same trend holds true for men as well.
Though these researchers are not calling for a complete overhaul of how overweight characters are portrayed on television, the study does highlight the need for further research into this area and also for TV producers and executives to find ways to make viewers laugh and enjoy the often wacky characters without potentially causing harm to others.
Obese TV Characters Often Portrayed in Bad Light
The study, which looked at overweight characters on all the major networks, showed that overweight and obese characters on TV have fewer romantic interactions, less contact with friends, and fewer leadership characteristics.
In addition, the Michigan State University study shows that larger women are more likely to show up on sitcoms than on shows dealing with more serious issues.
So, what's wrong with getting a few laughs about an overweight character involved in some madcap plot?
Well, maybe nothing, but other research shows that obesity may not merely be a problem of choosing not to be slim. Being overweight or obese can be a sign of negative underlying feelings, such as low self-esteem.
Thus, by portraying obese characters as unwanted and incapable of leadership, television may perpetuate these feelings and contribute to the vicious circle of feeling bad and overeating -- a problem that this country doesn't need, given the epidemic proportions of obesity.
Also, overweight people don't appear on television nearly as often as they do in real life.
Lead researcher Bradley S. Greenberg and colleagues, who presented the findings at the North American Association for the Study of Obesity in Quebec City, Quebec, found that though 25% of women in the U.S. are obese, they represent only 3% of characters on TV. And the same trend holds true for men as well.
Though these researchers are not calling for a complete overhaul of how overweight characters are portrayed on television, the study does highlight the need for further research into this area and also for TV producers and executives to find ways to make viewers laugh and enjoy the often wacky characters without potentially causing harm to others.
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