Comments on: Weight Discrimination as Prevalent as Racial Discrimination

By: h sofia

h sofia — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 14:33:24 +0000

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

By: GhostGirl

GhostGirl — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 13:42:52 +0000

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.

By: Mile High Pixie

Mile High Pixie — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 01:57:38 +0000

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.

By: Ms. Theologian

Ms. Theologian — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 22:13:31 +0000

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.

By: h sofia

h sofia — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:42:46 +0000

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

By: h sofia

h sofia — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:42:16 +0000

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.