Mistreatment Due to Weight: Prevalence and Sources of Perceived Mistreatment in Women and Men

Abstract

Mistreatment due to weight: prevalence and sources of perceived mistreatment in women and men. Obes Res. 1999; 7572-576. Objective: Previous research has documented prejudicial attitudes and discrimination against overweight people. Yet the extent to which overweight people themselves perceive that they have been mistreated because of their weight has not been carefully studied. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of perceived mistreatment due to weight and sources of perceived mistreatment. Methods and Procedures:A non-clinical sample of healthy adults (1 87 men and 800 women) enrolled in a weight gain prevention program comprised the study population. A selfadministered questionnaire was used to measure perceived mistreatment due to weight. Results: Overall, 22% of women and 17% of men reported weight-related mistreatment. The most commonly reported sources of mistreatment among women were strangers (12.5%) and a spouse or loved one (1 1.9%). Men were most likely to report mistreatment by a spouse or loved one (10.2%) and friends (7.5%). Somewhat surprisingly, sex differences in perceived weight-related mistreatment were significant only for stranger as the source. Perceived weight-related mistreatment was positively associated with body mass index (BMI) ( r = 0.39, p<O.OOOI). Reported mistreatment was nearly ten times as pervalent among in- dividuals in the highest quartile of the BMI distribution (42.5%) than among those in the lowest BMI quartile (5.7%), but was significantly greater than zero in all but the very lean. Discussion: Perceived mistreatment due to weight is a common experience and is not restricted to the morbidly obese. Results are discussed in light of the sociocultural value for thinness.

Perceptions of weight discrimination: prevalence and comparison to race and gender discrimination in America

“…Obese adults are six-times more likely to report weight/ height discrimination compared to normal weight people, and younger obese people are at particular risk. Our findings parallel previous research in adult samples 30 and recent work demonstrating greater vulnerability to weight bias among youth at higher levels of obesity. [31][32][33][34] It is important to recognize the heightened risk for weight discrimination in certain subgroups of obese individuals, such as youth, who are in need of effective coping strategies to help combat negative emotional and physical effects of discrimination.…”

“…This supports previous work documenting gender differences in perceptions of weight bias. 30,[35][36][37] Women in the MIDUS sample were twice as likely as men to report weight/height discrimination, with large gender differences observed across education and age groups. Also, gender differences in the BMI levels at which weight/height discrimination began to affect participants were particularly striking: while men were not at serious risk for discrimination until they reached a BMI of 35 or higher, women experienced a notable increase in weight/height discrimination risk at a lower BMI level of 27.…”

Contextualizing the Effects of Yoga Therapy on Diabetes Management

“…[73][74][75] Documented correlates of weight-based discrimination include healthcare avoidance, depression, and low self-esteem. [76][77][78][79][80][81][82] The literature regarding the influence of weight-based discrimination on health-related outcomes is accumulating, but measures used to assess the phenomenon have been categorical and, in some cases, dichotomous, which limits data analysis. Even so, it is important to note the findings from a large study of a convenience sample, indicating that more than 20% of women and 17% of men report weight-related mistreatment, not only from their spouse or loved one but also from strangers.…”

“…Even so, it is important to note the findings from a large study of a convenience sample, indicating that more than 20% of women and 17% of men report weight-related mistreatment, not only from their spouse or loved one but also from strangers. 78 Furthermore, significant amounts of antifat bias are pervasive among healthcare professionals who work with obese patients or conduct obesity research. 81 Some healthcare providers attribute negative characteristics to obese patients, and society as a whole often perceives obese individuals as deviant and having flaws in character that lead to their condition.…”

“…Evidence suggests that anywhere between 70% and 100% of adults report racial discrimination, more than 20% of adults report mistreatment related to weight, and more than 80% of Americans aged 50 or older report experiencing some form of ageism. 78,85,86 Recent research suggests that the internalization of negative stereotypes and discrimination poses a significant threat to health and is related to glucose intolerance, abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure level, and physical inactivity. 68,85,87,88 Although the social stigma caused by perceived discrimination may affect the adoption and maintenance of health behaviors such as PA, this relationship is rarely measured.…”