A mental model of obesity: comparing expert and public perceptions in Ireland, the UK, and the US
Authors' conclusion
Public health communications often focus on highlighting obesity as a public health problem, but our findings suggest that this message has been received.
Study context
- Population
- Members of the public in 3 English-speaking countries with high obesity rates (Ireland, UK, US), benchmarked against experts
- Participants
- 2,400 vs 51
- Exposure
- Public vs expert perceptions of obesity
- Publicn = 2,400
- Expertsn = 51reference
- Outcome
- Perceptions of causes, consequences and responsibility for obesity, and support for preventive policies
Methodological detailsonline survey, 3 countries
- Online survey
- 3 countries
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Differences between countries; larger differences between public and expert samples
- Public assigned considerable blame and responsibility to individuals; experts focused more on societal and environmental causes
- Public and experts concurred on seriousness of the problem
- Experts endorsed more radical policies, such as taxes and restrictions
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
A mental model of obesity: comparing expert and public perceptions in Ireland, the UK, and the US. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 5 June 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →