Two studies examined the relationship between social status and obesity stereotypes. In Study 1, obese individuals were seen as having lower status than non‐obese individuals, and status ratings were positively correlated with common obesity stereotypes. In Study 2, targets were depicted as overweight or lean, and as having a high‐status or low‐status job. High‐status heavy targets were rated as less lazy and more competent than were their low‐status counterparts, but status did not impact ratings of sloppiness or warmth. The findings indicate that obesity can serve as a status cue. Furthermore, the findings provide preliminary evidence that status is related to the attribution of certain stereotypes to obese individuals, while also highlighting the multifaceted nature of obesity stereotypes.
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