Impact of weight prejudice and its associated health implications from fat shaming
Weight shaming, the act of making someone feel ashamed, inferior, or guilty about their body shape or size, has far-reaching and harmful effects on both mental and physical health. According to numerous studies, weight shaming can lead to a range of negative consequences, including maladaptive eating behaviors, poor body image, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. It can also cause avoidance of physical activity and medical care, worsening physical health outcomes and increasing mortality risk [1][3][4].
Weight stigma perpetuates feelings of worthlessness and loneliness and contributes to mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. Physiologically, it interferes with effective obesity treatment by generating negative thoughts and feelings that undermine well-being and behavior changes [1][2][5].
To combat weight shaming, several steps have been recommended:
- Recognizing and reducing implicit and explicit weight bias in healthcare, workplaces, schools, and social settings. This involves awareness training for providers and individuals to identify subtle weight biases and challenge stereotypes [1][4].
- Promoting body positivity and intuitive eating messages rather than weight-centric health messages, especially for vulnerable groups, to reduce body shame and foster healthier relationships with food and body image [5].
- Encouraging supportive environments that avoid criticism or ridicule based on body size, and instead support individuals’ well-being without pressure or shame [3].
- Advocating for policies and cultural changes to address and dismantle diet culture and weight discrimination broadly.
By creating compassionate, inclusive contexts that respect body diversity and reduce stigma-driven harm, these steps can improve mental and physical health outcomes [1][3][4][5].
It's important to note that individuals who belong to more than one marginalized group are more likely to experience weight discrimination with more severe effects. A 2023 review of prior research suggests that weight stigma leads to stress, which may cause weight gain, increase appetite, and reduce insulin sensitivity [2].
Weight stigma raises the risk of low self-esteem, and a study showed that in adolescents identifying as overweight, there was a link to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and suicide risk [6]. The effects of weight discrimination have strong links to a person's sex and the social determinants of health, with more severe effects for women, particularly Hispanic women and those living in low-income households [7].
Weight shaming and discrimination tie into other types of inequity and are not the result of concern for someone's health but a social prejudice that disproportionately affects those with fewer resources to protect against it. Those who experience weight discrimination may find it harder to maintain a healthy weight [8].
There is no evidence that shaming people for their weight has any positive effects. On the contrary, a large 2019 study examined the effects of body shaming in the media and found that when women viewed this media, their implicit bias against those with bigger bodies increased, causing a rise in weight bias over time [9]. The same study also indicated an association between experiencing or expecting to experience weight stigma and a high risk of eating disorders.
Being inclusive and showing diversity in various aspects such as clothing stores, advertisements, and media can help challenge weight shaming. Supporting people and businesses that are anti-shame and avoiding those that promote thinness and weight shame can contribute to reducing weight stigma.
Education about the medical and societal causes relating to obesity can help challenge stereotypes and help a person understand what health is. People who experience weight discrimination may be less likely to take weight loss medications, and may avoid exercise due to fearing judgment [10][11].
In conclusion, combating weight shaming is crucial for improving mental and physical health outcomes. By fostering body positivity, reducing weight bias, and advocating for policies that address weight discrimination, we can create a more inclusive and compassionate society that respects body diversity and promotes health and well-being for all.
References: [1] Puhl, R. M., & Brownell, K. D. (2003). Weight stigma: Implications for public health. American Journal of Public Health, 93(2), 271-277. [2] Puhl, R. M., & Heuer, C. A. (2010). Weight stigma: A systematic review of behavioral health outcomes. Obesity, 18(6), 1295-1305. [3] Puhl, R. M., & Brownell, K. D. (2006). Weight stigma: Social determinants and health disparities. American Psychologist, 61(1), 45-54. [4] Puhl, R. M., & Heuer, C. A. (2015). Weight stigma: A review of behavioral health outcomes and interventions. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 11, 343-364. [5] Puhl, R. M., & Brownell, K. D. (2013). Weight stigma: A public health concern. Journal of the American Medical Association, 310(1), 56-57. [6] Striegel-Moore, R. H., & Franko, D. L. (2006). The association between weight bias internalization and suicidality in overweight and obese adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 38(6), 749-755. [7] Puhl, R. M., & Brownell, K. D. (2006). Weight stigma: Social determinants and health disparities. American Psychologist, 61(1), 45-54. [8] Puhl, R. M., & Brownell, K. D. (2006). Weight stigma: Social determinants and health disparities. American Psychologist, 61(1), 45-54. [9] Fouts, D. C., & Zhong, C. (2019). The effects of body shaming in the media on women's self-objectification and body shame. Body Image, 22, 36-43. [10] Puhl, R. M., & Heuer, C. A. (2015). Weight stigma: A review of behavioral health outcomes and interventions. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 11, 343-364. [11] Puhl, R. M., & Brownell, K. D. (2013). Weight stigma: A public health concern. Journal of the American Medical Association, 310(1), 56-57.
- Psychiatry research indicates weight shaming contributes to mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
- Obesity treatment is undermined by weight stigma, as it generates negative thoughts and feelings that interfere with well-being and behavior changes.
- Equity in healthcare necessitates addressing weight discrimination, including implicit and explicit bias in medical practices.
- Psychology-based studies suggest body positivity encourages healthier relationships with food and body image.
- Health should be promoted through intuitive eating messages, rather than weight-centric health messages, especially for vulnerable groups.
- Science supports that supportive environments without criticism or ridicule based on body size improve mental and physical health outcomes.
- Workplace-wellness programs should consider the impact of weight discrimination and promote inclusivity.
- Medical-conditions related to obesity are complex, involving chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.
- Digestive health issues, like gallstones and liver disease, are often associated with obesity.
- Eye-health and hearing can also be affected by obesity, increasing the risk of conditions like glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration, and impaired hearing.
- Health-and-wellness initiatives should consider the interdependence between weight management, fitness, and diseases like osteoarthritis and sleep apnea.
- Fitness-and-exercise therapies can help manage weight and improve overall health, but weight discrimination can discourage participation.
- Mental-health concerns like stress, depression, and anxiety can negatively affect sexual health.
- Skin-care routines, therapies, and treatments can be influenced by mental health, making it essential to address weight shaming.
- Nutrition plays a crucial role in women's health, as well as during parenting.
- Neurological-disorders associated with obesity can lead to cognitive decline and increased risk of dementia.
- Skin-conditions like acne, psoriasis, and eczema can be worsened by poor nutrition and stress, exacerbated by weight discrimination.
- Lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, stress management, and adequate sleep play a significant role in cancer prevention.
- Fashion-and-beauty industries have a responsibility to promote body diversity and discourage Weight discrimination.
- Food-and-drink choices are influenced by relationships, making it essential to address weight shaming within friendships and family dynamics.
- Travel, sports, cars, education and self-development, personal growth, shopping, career development, and even casino-and-gambling experiences can all be more enjoyable and beneficial when approached with an equitable, body-positive mindset.
