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Perceptions of weight discrimination: prevalence and comparison to race and gender discrimination in America

International Journal of Obesity volume 32, pages 992–1000 (2008)Cite this article

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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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA

    R M Puhl, T Andreyeva & K D Brownell

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  1. R M Puhl
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  2. T Andreyeva
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  3. K D Brownell
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Correspondence to R M Puhl.

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Puhl, R., Andreyeva, T. & Brownell, K. Perceptions of weight discrimination: prevalence and comparison to race and gender discrimination in America. Int J Obes 32, 992–1000 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2008.22

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Keywords

  • discrimination
  • bias
  • gender
  • race

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