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Objective. We explored personal attitudes about genetic testing of children for obesity risk among parents of overweight children. We also gathered telephone opinions from the parents and from obese adults about policy related to such genetic testing. Methods. We conducted three parents’ focus groups, during which they produced numerical ratings on whether they would want their children to be tested according to scenarios in which 1) genetically-targeted drug treatment would be available, 2) a positive test would be associated with a prognosis for developing diabetes, or 3) neither of these. Quantitative data were also gathered during follow-up calls. Results. Parents were more likely to want testing for their children under the first two scenarios, although there was interest in the third scenario, particularly among separated/divorced parents, and those whose children were not dieting. Even if treatment were not available, more than three-quarters believed testing should be available, more than one-third of them at birth. The youngest child age to divulge a positive result, on average, was 10 years. A primary reason was the perceived helpfulness of the result in framing behavior of both parent and child in preventing development of obesity. Respondents generally failed to perceive the possible negative consequences of a positive test result, insufficiently to consider implications of a negative result. Conclusions. Additional research is required in order to understand the best ways to educate parents about genetic testing for obesity risk, given the strong interest shown in having such testing available and divulging results to minor children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given that a large number of candidate genes coding for a tendency toward obesity have been identified and some findings have been replicated, we explored characteristics of those who would be most likely to obtain future genetic testing for this tendency. During a series of focus groups, obese respondents rated their likelihood of obtaining testing under conditions in which either genetically-targeted drug treatment would be available, a positive test would be associated with a prognosis for developing diabetes, or neither of these. Interest in testing was greater given the first two scenarios than the third. Older age and belief that genetics were an important cause of obesity were associated with greater interest. For the first two scenarios, higher educational status was associated with greater interest, while for the third, respondents who said emotional issues caused overweight and those who crash-dieted intermittently were more likely to want genetic testing. Although further research is required to validate these findings, this study is the first published report of respondents’ ratings of likelihood to obtain genetic testing for propensity to obesity, and suggests strong interest in genetic testing among some people, even in the absence of further treatment implications of the test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is often established in adolescence, and advances are being made in identifying its genetic underpinnings. We examine issues related to the eventual likelihood of genetic tests for obesity targeted to adolescents: family involvement; comprehension of the test's meaning; how knowledge of genetic status may affect psychological adaptation; minors' ability to control events; parental/child autonomy; ability to make informed medical decisions; self-esteem; unclear distinctions between early/late onset for this condition; and social stigmatization. The public health arena will be important in educating families about possible future genetic tests for obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In eight locations ranging from rural to urban in and around Philadelphia, interactions between clerks and customers were observed in a post office and a delicatessen for 2 days in the summer of 1979 and 1 day in the summer of 1980. Mean sociability of these interactions differed reliably across locations, both over days (r = .85) and over years (r = .78). As predicted from the urban overload hypothesis, more urban locations were busier with more customers and were also less sociable. But contrary to the hypothesis, the relation between urbanism and unsociability was not mediated by number of customers. A modified social overload hypothesis is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]