Weight-based discrimination: an ubiquitary phenomenon?

Abstract

Discrimination seems to be an ubiquitary phenomenon at least for some groups that are at special risk, such as heavier individuals and women. Our findings therefore emphasize the need for research and intervention on weight discrimination among adults with obesity, including anti-discrimination legislation.

Public Support for Weight-Related Antidiscrimination Laws and Policies

“…Further, obese weight status was found to be predictive for greater support which is also in line with previous findings [14,24]. Hence, women and individuals with obesity might be more vulnerable to weight discrimination than their male and normal-weight counterparts, respectively [4,8], which might have raised their consciousness for weight-related discrimination and hopes for equal treatment. In contrast to previous inconsistent research on age as a predictor [14,24,25,26,27,29], lower age was associated with higher total support for antidiscrimination laws or policies in the German population.…”

“…Nevertheless, the omnipresence of weight-related discrimination in daily life [4,6] and the multitude of associated negative health outcomes [9,10,11,12,13] indicate that policy level strategies may be needed to help reduce weight discrimination on a broad scale. Increasing awareness about weight-related discrimination and support for laws prohibiting this behavior may help to promote adoption of laws and policies.…”

“…Discrimination generally refers to unfair treatment of an individual because of his or her membership in a particular stigmatized group [2]. Approximately 7-12% of citizens in Germany and the US have experienced weight discrimination [3,4]. These prevalence rates rise with BMI (in kg/m 2 ) , with up to 38% of individuals with a BMI ≥ 40.0 kg/m 2 reporting weight discrimination [4].…”

“…Approximately 7-12% of citizens in Germany and the US have experienced weight discrimination [3,4]. These prevalence rates rise with BMI (in kg/m 2 ) , with up to 38% of individuals with a BMI ≥ 40.0 kg/m 2 reporting weight discrimination [4]. After gender, age, and race discrimination, weight discrimination is the most common form of discrimination in adults [5].…”

Obesity and discrimination – a systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies

“…Possible reasons for perceived weight discrimination in individuals with normal weight could be related to methodological issues. With respect to temporality, body weight could fluctuate over time, and retrospective reports on weight discrimination in individuals with current normal weight might be self‐reports of individuals with former overweight or obesity .…”