28th Mar 2008

Weight Discrimination as Prevalent as Racial Discrimination

A new study by the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at Yale University suggests that weight discrimination in the workplace is as prevalent as racial discrimination. Some additional details:

The study also revealed that women are twice as likely as men to report weight discrimination and that weight discrimination in the workplace and interpersonal mistreatment due to obesity is common.

The researchers found that men are not at serious risk for weight bias until their body mass index (BMI) reaches 35 or higher, while women begin experiencing a notable increase in weight discrimination risk at a BMI level of 27. BMI is the measure of body fat based on height and weight.

Co-author Tatiana Andreyava of Yale said weight discrimination is more prevalent than discrimination based on sexual orientation, nationality/ethnicity, physical disability, and religious beliefs. “However, despite its high prevalence, it continues to remain socially acceptable,” she said.

This entry was posted by Ms. Theologian on Friday, March 28th, 2008 at 11:29 am and is filed under news You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

6 Responses to “Weight Discrimination as Prevalent as Racial Discrimination”

  1. March 28th, 2008 at 2:42 pm h sofia Says:

    I don’t doubt it for a second. I have seen it happen with my own eyes, and know several especially bright and hard working people who cannot seem to get a leg up in their occupations; I strongly suspect their obesity is the issue.

  2. March 28th, 2008 at 2:42 pm h sofia Says:

    Rather, I should say, the “issue” isn’t their obesity, but the attitudes towards obese people.

  3. March 28th, 2008 at 3:13 pm Ms. Theologian Says:

    I’ve seen the same phenomena and wondered if the prejudice against extra weight was the issue too. This is the first time I’ve actually seen a study on it though, so I’m pleased to come across it.

  4. March 28th, 2008 at 6:57 pm Mile High Pixie Says:

    I’m not surprised. Fatness is the last thing you can make fun of someone for. Sweet, good, vegetarian Weird Al Yankovic still manages to squeeze (pun sorta intended) a “fat” song onto each of his albums. It’s a weird thing to see, but even weirder when I find myself occasionally buying into it. I have to stop and remind myself to look at this person based on behavior, actions, and words, not on appearance.

  5. March 29th, 2008 at 6:42 am GhostGirl Says:

    I’ve had at least one coworker at each place I worked who actively despised “fatties.” We’re talking at the same level a KKK member would hate black people. It’s really weird. And they would be otherwise fairly liberal, kindhearted people.

  6. March 29th, 2008 at 7:33 am h sofia Says:

    GG - ditto. One of the coworkers I had who did this was a manager in charge of hiring/firing, disciplinary action, etc.

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