Health Consequences of Weight Stigma: Implications for Obesity Prevention and Treatment

Abstract

Despite decades of research documenting consistent stigma and discrimination against individuals with obesity, weight stigma is rarely considered in obesity prevention and treatment efforts. In recent years, evidence has examined weight stigmatization as a unique contributor to negative health outcomes and behaviors that can promote and exacerbate obesity. This review summarizes findings from published studies within the past 4 years examining the relationship between weight stigma and maladaptive eating behaviors (binge eating and increased food consumption), physical activity, weight status (weight gain and loss and development of obesity), and physiological stress responses. Research evaluating the effects of weight stigma present in obesity-related public health campaigns is also highlighted. Evidence collectively demonstrates negative implications of stigmatization for weight-related health correlates and behaviors and suggests that addressing weight stigma in obesity prevention and treatment is warranted. Key questions for future research to further delineate the health effects of weight stigmatization are summarized.

Reliability, validity, and factorial structure of the Turkish version of the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (Turkish WSSQ)

“…Obesity is related to various poor health outcomes due to decreased physical and social functioning, and it is critical to understand these adverse outcomes in order to prevent them. Weightrelated stigma has serious negative effects on mental health, social functioning, and physical health [2]. Stigmatized individuals are often devaluing themselves, feeling helplessness, falling into despair, fearing rejection, and losing their self-confidence [3].…”

Publically Misfitting: Extreme Weight and the Everyday Production and Reinforcement of Felt Stigma

“…2011; Schaefer and Simpkins 2014). Moreover, individual efforts to cope with and/or avoid weight‐related stigma often lead to less healthy behaviors associated with elevated chronic disease risk (Puhl and Suh 2015; Vartanian 2008). …”

Manipulating practices: A critical physiotherapy reader

“…What is more, it shows weight reduction via lifestyle modification as achievable and "fun" when in fact research has confirmed that the exact opposite is true. That is, sustained weight loss through diet and exercise is nearly impossible (Weiss, Galuska, Khan, Gillespie & Serdula, 2007) and shame can result in worsened health among obese individuals and interferes with the success of weight loss interventions (Puhl & Suh, 2015, Rugseth, 2011. Nevertheless, frequent testing and weight screening persist as part of lifestyle-oriented programs in both public and private health care settings and there is little discussion of failure and shame in reference to such interventions (Dolezal, 2015).…”