Weight-Related Humor in the Media: Appreciation, Distaste, and Anti-Fat Attitudes

One of the few stigmatized conditions still considered "fair game" for public joking and ridicule is obesity. The standard for TV and film comedies is to show overweight characters in a stereotypical and disparaging manner. The body of research on disparaging humor has not yet sought to determine viewers' attitudes toward weight-related humor. Of primary interest in the present study was whether reactions to humor vary systematically with viewers' preexisting attitudes toward obesity. Participants (N = 501) viewed 7 video clips from popular film and TV programs featuring weight-related humor. Participants then rated each clip on a number of dimensions (e.g., funniness, offensiveness). Additionally they completed measures of attitudes and beliefs toward obesity including dislike for obese persons, belief in the controllability of body weight, and a belief in stereotypes about obese persons. As predicted, participants' dislike for obese persons and their belief in disparaging stereotypes about obesity are associated with higher levels of weight-related humor appreciation. Additionally, a stronger belief in disparaging stereotypes about obesity and a belief in the controllability of obesity are negatively related to individuals' level of distaste for weight-related humor. These findings support the empirical basis of disparagement humor theory and the disposition theory of humor appreciation. They can also inform research on the stigma of obesity and representations of stigmatized groups in the media.