COMPARING FATPHOBIC ATTITUDES OF MALE AND FEMALE STUDENTS STUDYING AT SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT

Obesity is one of the most crucial health problems in the world. Obese individuals face multiple forms of prejudice and discrimination including physical, psychological and sociological. These negative attitudes toward and stereotypes about fat people termed as “fatphobia”. The purpose of this study was to determine and compare fatphobic attitudes of male and female students studying at Çukurova University, the School of Physical Education and Sports. Sample of the study consisted of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year students (N= 467) studying at Çukurova University Physical Education and Sports College. Data were collected by using “Fatphobia Scale”. Independent samples t-test was used to analyze data. Data were analyzed by using SPSS 16.00 (Statistical Package Social Science). Results of the analysis demonstrated moderate fatphobic attitudes by both male and female students. Additionally, no significant difference found between male and female students’ fatphobic attitudes (t(465)= 1.11, p .05). Additionally, no significant difference was found among fatphobic attitudes of students studying at three different departments of the School of Physical Education and Sports (F(2, 423)=.04, p .05). In relation to the results, it was suggested that an educational programs be developed and seminars be organized in order to eliminate fatphobic attitudes of students.