Communicating Risk Information for Obesity

• Change from baseline behavioral and weight outcomes at 3 months [ Time Frame: Baseline and 3 months from viewing obesity risk assessment ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Lifestyle behavioral intentions, actual health behaviors, weight
  
  

• Change from baseline causal attributions at 3 months [ Time Frame: Baseline and 3 months from viewing obesity risk assessment ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Beliefs about the causes of obesity
  
  
• Change in baseline attitudes towards obese people at 3 months [ Time Frame: Baseline and 3 months from viewing obesity risk assessment ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Attitudes towards obese people will be assessed using the Fat Phobia Scale (Bacon, Scheltema, & Robinson, 2001). This semantic differential scale contains 14 items that assess attitudes about obese people. The scale lists 14 pairs of adjectives describing obese people (e.g., ''active'' vs. ''inactive,'') placed at opposite ends of a 5-point scale.
  
  

The investigators will conduct a randomized controlled feasibility trial to examine the short-term impact of personalized risk feedback for obesity. This study is uniquely situated to provide important data on how individuals interpret various sources of risk information and how they arrive at an overall perception of risk for a condition. Taken altogether, study findings will be used to serve as an overall model for future intervention efforts to effectively communicate obesity risk information with the goal of improving weight management and overall population health.

CPMC-The CPMC is an ongoing evidence-based longitudinal research study designed to determine the utility of using personal genome information in health management and clinical decision-making. They collect saliva samples, perform genetic analysis and provide genetic risk feedback for several disease conditions including coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes. The present study will build upon the existing genetic testing and web feedback infrastructure at Coriell to conduct behavioral science research to address critical public health questions.