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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.
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.
Comment by h sofia 03.28.08 @ 2:42 pmRather, I should say, the “issue” isn’t their obesity, but the attitudes towards obese people.
Comment by h sofia 03.28.08 @ 2:42 pmI’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.
Comment by Ms. Theologian 03.28.08 @ 3:13 pmI’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.
Comment by Mile High Pixie 03.28.08 @ 6:57 pmI’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.
Comment by GhostGirl 03.29.08 @ 6:42 amGG - ditto. One of the coworkers I had who did this was a manager in charge of hiring/firing, disciplinary action, etc.
Comment by h sofia 03.29.08 @ 7:33 amLeave a comment
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