Effects of Physicians' Endorsement of Genetic Explanations of Obesity on Perceptions Among Black and White Americans with Obesity

Obesity disproportionately affects Black patients and is increasingly attributed to genetics. After reading about a physician attributing obesity to genetic or nongenetic causes, Black (n=150) and White (n=110) adults with obesity rated the “genetic” physician as less clinically-effective. Black participants expressed less desire to be treated by the “genetic” physician.