Work

Weight discrimination and metabolic syndrome: Examining discrimination attributions and frequency across settings.

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study examined characteristics of discrimination among participants with overweight and obesity, including discrimination attributions (i.e., attributed to weight and/or other personal characteristics) and discrimination frequency across settings (everyday life or medical settings), and their associations with metabolic syndrome. METHOD: self-reported their experiences of discrimination and contributed biomarker data used to determine metabolic syndrome. Participants identified personal characteristics perceived as reasons for discrimination (e.g., weight, gender, age, race). In cross-sectional analyses, multiple logistic regression models examined how discrimination attributions (weight and/or other personal characteristics) as well as frequency of everyday discrimination and discrimination in medical settings were associated with metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: = 1.09, 95% CI [1.04, 1.13]) were positively associated with metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Findings demonstrate the importance of assessing the burden of weight discrimination, including how multiple discrimination attributions and frequency of discrimination across settings may be associated with cardiometabolic health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Source: Health Psychology

DOI: 10.1037/hea0001637

Authors: Rafael O. Leite, Maria M. Llabre, Patrice G. Saab

Institutions: Brown University, University of Miami

Language: English

Topic: Obesity and Health Practices

Subfield: Pharmacy

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institutes of Health