Published: March 2009

ID #: 65055

Journal: Milbank Q

Authors: Barry CL, Brescoll VL, Brownell KD, Schlesinger M

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Using the Yale Rudd Center Public Opinion on Obesity Survey, this study examines how individuals’ demographic/health characteristics, political attitudes and beliefs about the causes of obesity affect their support for obesity-reduction policies. Included in the study were seven obesity metaphors; how much respondents’ agreed with or used these metaphors was strongly predictive of whether they supported public policy to reduce obesity rates. In light of these results, the authors suggest that metaphorical reasoning could be a potent strategy in reframing issues to shore up support for obesity-reduction policies.

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