Weight Stigma Affects Men Too

Silver Spring, Maryland, April 24, 2018 -- While studies of weight stigma usually include women, few studies examine weight stigma in men exclusively. “In fact, while women are often applauded for addressing their weight, men are often stigmatized for engaging in similar efforts by their peers,” Obesity Action Coalition President Joe Nadglowski said. “The reality is that weight bias doesn’t recognize whether someone is a female or male. All individuals with obesity tend to experience bias at some point.” A new study, published in Obesity, is the first comprehensive analysis of weight stigma in men exclusively.

The study involved three groups of men: 1,244 men from a diverse national survey panel; 233 men from a national online data collection service; and 36 male members of the Obesity Action Coalition who have struggled with their weight. The 1,513 participants completed online surveys between July 2015 and October 2016. In all three samples, men answered questions about their demographic characteristics, weight status and dieting behavior, and history of experiencing weight stigma.

Results showed approximately 40% of men reported experiencing weight stigma. Men reporting weight stigma were younger, less likely to be married, had higher BMIs, and were more likely to have tried to lose weight in the past year relative to men not reporting weight stigma. Also, verbal mistreatment was the most common form of weight stigma which came from peers, family members, and strangers.

Lead author of the study Mary Himmelstein, PhD, said, “These data show that men are experiencing similar rates of weight stigma relative to women, which suggests it’s important to understand and examine potential gender differences in consequences of weight stigma.”

Additionally, in an upcoming editorial published in Obesity, Rebecca L. Pearl, PhD, and Thomas A. Wadden, PhD, examine Dr. Himmelstein’s study. “This finding challenges the notion that men are not affected by weight stigma and rightfully highlights the need to include them more fully in research on this problem,” they said. Overall, more research is needed in weight stigma in men.

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About The Obesity Society

The Obesity Society (TOS) is the leading professional society dedicated to better understanding, preventing and treating obesity. Through research, education and advocacy, TOS is committed to improving the lives of those affected by the disease of obesity. For more information, visit www.Obesity.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Learn more about industry relationships here.

Robyn Gordon
The Obesity Society
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