Perceptions of weight discrimination: prevalence and comparison to race and gender discrimination in America
Abstract
Objective Limited data are available on the prevalence and patterns of body weight discrimination from representative samples. This study examined experiences of weight/height discrimination in a nationally representative sample of US adults and compared their prevalence and patterns with discrimination experiences based on race and gender.Method and procedures Data were from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States, a 1995-1996 community-based survey of English-speaking adults aged 25-74 (N=2290). Reported experiences of weight/height discrimination included a variety of institutional settings and interpersonal relationships. Multivariate regression analyses were used to predict weight/height discrimination controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and body weight status.Results The prevalence of weight/height discrimination ranged from 5% among men to 10% among women, but these average percentages obscure the much higher risk of weight discrimination among heavier individuals (40% for adults with body mass index (BMI) of 35 and above). Younger individuals with a higher BMI had a particularly high risk of weight/height discrimination regardless of their race, education and weight status. Women were at greater risk for weight/height discrimination than men, especially women with a BMI of 30-35 who were three times more likely to report weight/height discrimination compared to male peers of a similar weight.Discussion Weight/height discrimination is prevalent in American society and is relatively close to reported rates of racial discrimination, particularly among women. Both institutional forms of weight/height discrimination (for example, in employment settings) and interpersonal mistreatment due to weight/height (for example, being called names) were common, and in some cases were even more prevalent than discrimination due to gender and race.
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Women with obesity disproportionately face poorer health, poorer mental well-being, weight discrimination, and demotivated health behaviors.
“Women with obesity disproportionately face poorer health, 4 , 5 poorer mental well‐being, 6 weight discrimination, 7 and demotivated health behaviors. 8 , 9 , 10 , 11”
From Positive psychological well-being in women with obesity: A scoping review of qualitative and quantitative primary research (2022) · cites this paper as [7]
Women with obesity experience higher rates of weight discrimination than men.
“Women with obesity experience higher rates of weight discrimination than men. 7”
From Positive psychological well-being in women with obesity: A scoping review of qualitative and quantitative primary research (2022) · cites this paper as [7]
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“Women with obesity experience higher rates of weight discrimination than men.(7) Weight discrimination is associated with an increased risk of negative physical, mental, and social health and even morbidity.”
Background
- Authors
- Puhl, R. M., Andreyeva, T., & Brownell, K. D.
- Affiliations
- Yale University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Puhl, R M
- Venue
- International Journal of Obesity
- Published
- 2008-03-04
- Volume
- 32
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 992-1000
- ISSN
- 0307-0565 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-5497
- OpenAlex
- W2017069089
- Cited by
- 900
- References
- 49
- Citations by year
- 2026: 25 · 2025: 35 · 2024: 59 · 2023: 71 · 2022: 63 · 2021: 50 · 2020: 87 · 2019: 58 · 2018: 56 · 2017: 62 · 2016: 72 · 2015: 54 · 2014: 46 · 2013: 40 · 2012: 35
- FWCI
- 79.95
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- International Journal of Obesity (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Yale University
- National Institutes of Health
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Obesity and Health Practices
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Keywords
- weight discrimination, weight status, body mass index, racial discrimination, gender discrimination, institutional discrimination, interpersonal mistreatment, obesity, middle-aged adults, sex differences
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Epidemiologic Methods, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Obesity, Prejudice, Social Perception, United States, Body Mass Index, Prevalence, Racial Groups, Body Size
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