Obesity Stigma: Important Considerations for Public Health

Overview

Journal Am J Public Health

Specialty Public Health

Date 2010 Jan 16

PMID 20075322

Citations 528

Authors

Rebecca M Puhl

Chelsea A Heuer

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Stigma and discrimination toward obese persons are pervasive and pose numerous consequences for their psychological and physical health. Despite decades of science documenting weight stigma, its public health implications are widely ignored. Instead, obese persons are blamed for their weight, with common perceptions that weight stigmatization is justifiable and may motivate individuals to adopt healthier behaviors. We examine evidence to address these assumptions and discuss their public health implications. On the basis of current findings, we propose that weight stigma is not a beneficial public health tool for reducing obesity. Rather, stigmatization of obese individuals threatens health, generates health disparities, and interferes with effective obesity intervention efforts. These findings highlight weight stigma as both a social justice issue and a priority for public health.

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