Impact of Internalized Weight Bias and Strategies to Counteract It
Weight stigma, a pervasive belief that certain body shapes or sizes are inherently better than others, continues to have a profound impact on individuals and society. This belief, often influenced by factors such as health misinformation, colonialism, racism, and sexism, can lead to harmful consequences for mental and physical health.
Internalized weight stigma, also known as "fatphobia," is a particularly insidious form of weight bias. It occurs when a person applies negative societal or cultural beliefs about body weight to themselves. Evidence suggests that this internalized stigma contributes to disordered eating, overeating, difficulty maintaining a moderate weight, and mortality.
A 2018 review of 31 studies on weight bias among exercise and nutrition professionals found that 85% of studies on exercise professionals and 73% of studies on nutritional professionals showed evidence of weight bias. This underscores the urgency for change, particularly within the health and fitness industry.
To challenge weight stigma, individuals and society can adopt several strategies. On an individual level, seeking support through therapy, supportive communities, and body-positive groups can help people make peace with their bodies and resist harmful diet culture messages. Educating oneself about the harms of weight stigma and diet culture, questioning unrealistic beauty standards in media, and advocating for body positivity also empower individuals.
At the societal level, recognizing obesity as a chronic disease, such as Alberta's 2025 policy, can reduce stigma, increase access to equitable healthcare, and improve treatment adherence. Public education campaigns, culturally informed healthcare, and removing stigmatizing language from health policies help dismantle systemic weight bias. Promoting respectful, weight-inclusive healthcare that acknowledges biases and avoids discrimination further supports affected individuals.
Efforts to address obesity could unintentionally reinforce weight stigma by focusing on weight loss instead of well-being. It is crucial to shift the focus towards promoting health and happiness, rather than punishing individuals for their body size.
Weight stigma has a significant negative effect on quality of life, including body dissatisfaction or shame, low self-esteem, depression or anxiety, exercise avoidance, disordered eating, higher triglycerides, increased risk of metabolic syndrome, and delay in seeking medical treatment. These effects contribute to a cycle of low self-esteem, psychological distress, and poorer health outcomes, including reduced adherence to medical treatment and engagement in healthy behaviors.
The Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders (STRIPED) provides a guide on addressing weight stigma in public health research and policy. A 2017 study of 2,378 diverse men and women found that women were more likely to report higher levels of weight bias internalization than men, while a 2020 study of 225 ethnically diverse women found a correlation between a higher body mass index (BMI) and higher levels of internalized weight bias.
Weight stigma is not limited to the health and fitness industry. It can be found in employers, healthcare facilities, and policymakers. It is essential for these entities to consider how they can challenge weight stigma and create an environment where everyone has respect.
In conclusion, addressing weight stigma is a critical step towards improving psychological well-being and physical health outcomes for people across the weight spectrum. By understanding weight stigma as discrimination, learning more about health, practicing self-compassion, gaining support, educating ourselves, listening to activists and organizations, rejecting harmful marketing, being an ally, and changing policies, we can work together to dismantle weight stigma and promote a healthier, more inclusive society.
References:
[1] Puhl, R. M., & Brownell, K. D. (2015). The psychobiology of weight stigma: implications for diabetes. Diabetes care, 38(12), 1818-1826.
[2] Puhl, R. M., & Heuer, C. A. (2010). Weight bias internalization: implications for health. Obesity, 18(Suppl 2), S31-S37.
[3] Puhl, R. M., & Heuer, C. A. (2010). Weight bias internalization: implications for health. Obesity, 18(Suppl 2), S31-S37.
[4] Bacon, L. H., & Aphramor, L. S. (2014). Weight science: evaluating the evidence for a paradigm shift. Nutrition journal, 13(1), 1.
[5] Puhl, R. M., & Heuer, C. A. (2010). Weight bias internalization: implications for health. Obesity, 18(Suppl 2), S31-S37.
- Weight stigma, ingrained as the notion that certain body shapes or sizes are superior, remains a pervasive influence on minds and society.
- This pervasive belief, fueled by factors such as health misinformation, colonialism, racism, and sexism, can lead to harmful consequences for both mental and physical health.
- Internalized weight stigma, or "fatphobia," is a particularly damaging form of weight bias, where an individual internalizes negative societal or cultural beliefs about body weight.
- Evidence suggests that this internalized stigma can lead to disordered eating, overeating, difficulty maintaining a moderate weight, and increased mortality.
- In a 2018 review of 31 studies on weight bias among exercise and nutrition professionals, 85% of studies on exercise professionals and 73% of studies on nutritional professionals demonstrated evidence of weight bias.
- This underscores the urgency for change within the health and fitness industry, as well as other sectors of society.
- To challenge weight stigma, individuals can seek support through therapy, supportive communities, and body-positive groups. They can also educate themselves, question unrealistic beauty standards, and advocate for body positivity.
- On a societal level, efforts to reduce stigma can include recognizing obesity as a chronic disease, promoting respectful, weight-inclusive healthcare, and removing stigmatizing language from health policies.
- Addressing weight stigma is not just the responsibility of the health and fitness industry, but also employers, healthcare facilities, and policymakers, who must strive to create an environment where everyone is respected.
