Who's a good boy? Effects of dog and owner body weight on veterinarian perceptions and treatment recommendations.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Weight bias against persons with obesity impairs health care delivery and utilization and contributes to poorer health outcomes. Despite rising rates of pet obesity (including among dogs), the potential for weight bias in veterinary settings has not been examined.

Subjects/methods

In two online, 2 × 2 experimental studies, the effects of dog and owner body weight on perceptions and treatment recommendations were investigated in 205 practicing veterinarians (Study 1) and 103 veterinary students (Study 2). In both studies, participants were randomly assigned to view one of four vignettes of a dog and owners with varying weight statuses (lean vs. obesity). Dependent measures included emotion/liking ratings toward the dog and owners; perceived causes of the dog's weig

SUBMITTER: Pearl RL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7686094 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature