Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: Prejudice, explicit bigotry, and implicit bias have become regular topics of national discourse in our current social and political environments.These discussions have included highly publicized examples of weight-based shaming (1), an unfortunate and frequent symptom of systemic weight stigmatization and discrimination in the United States.Despite increased public attention to weight stigma, few appreciate its extent and damaging impact on health.Weight-based stigmatization is a pervasive yet under-recognized health issue prevalent even in close interpersonal relationships, including parents, spouses, friends, teachers, and healthcare providers (2).Stemming in part from oversimplified and inaccurate beliefs about weight and obesity, weight stigma leads to societal devaluation, discrimination, and rejection of individuals with obesity and excess weight.In addition to damaging consequences for the mental health of those targeted, weight stigma adds insult to the direct injury of obesity, causing physiological stress, weight gain, disordered eating, and other maladaptive behaviors, and may increase mortality (3,4).There is likely a bidirectional relationship between obesity and weight stigma; discrimination is a prominent consequence of living with obesity, and, paradoxically to some, experiencing weight stigma can contribute to further progression of obesity.Weight stigma may mediate relationships between excess weight and a range of negative health outcomes attributed to obesity, including decreased quality of life.
Source: Obesity
DOI: 10.1002/oby.21772
Authors: Scott Kahan, Rebecca M. Puhl
Language: English
Topic: Obesity and Health Practices
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2580947255