Exploring Weight Stigma: 12 Research Studies to Start Your Journey

Here’s a list of notable research studies that have explored weight stigma and its various impacts on individuals:

1. Puhl, R., & Brownell, K. D. (2001). Bias, discrimination, and obesity. Obesity Research, 9(12), 788-805.

   • This seminal study by Puhl and Brownell is one of the first to review the social stigma faced by individuals with obesity, detailing how weight bias is prevalent in society and the negative consequences of such stigma.

2. Puhl, R., & Heuer, C. A. (2010). The stigma of obesity: A review and update. Obesity, 18(5), 874-885.

   • This review article explores the psychological, social, and health implications of weight stigma, highlighting its impact on individuals' mental health and treatment-seeking behaviors.

3. Hebl, M. R., & Xu, J. (2001). Weighing the care: Physicians’ reactions to the size of a patient. International Journal of Obesity, 25(8), 1246-1252.

   • This study examines the biases healthcare professionals may hold regarding patients' weight, revealing that healthcare workers can hold weight-based prejudices, which may affect the quality of care provided.

4. Vartanian, L. R., & Porter, A. (2016). The impact of weight stigma on the psychological and physical health of obese individuals. Current Diabetes Reviews, 12(1), 23-30.

   • Vartanian and Porter’s study investigates how weight stigma affects both mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety) and physical health outcomes in individuals with obesity.

5. Larsen, J. K., van Strien, T., & Eisinga, R. (2010). The influence of perceived weight stigma on the relationship between weight and eating behavior. Eating Behaviors, 11(1), 68-71.

   • This study examines how the experience of weight stigma can affect eating behavior, particularly in how it may lead to overeating or unhealthy eating habits as a coping mechanism.

6. Friedman, K. E., & Brownell, K. D. (1995). Psychological correlates of obesity: Moving to the next research agenda. Obesity Research, 3(4), 441-446.

   • This article reviews the psychological impacts of obesity, including the role of weight stigma in shaping self-esteem, body image, and psychological well-being.

7. Schvey, N. A., Puhl, R. M., & Brownell, K. D. (2011). The influence of weight stigma on caloric consumption. Obesity, 19(10), 1957-1962.

   • Schvey and colleagues' research highlights how weight stigma can contribute to maladaptive eating patterns, such as binge eating or overeating, as a result of emotional distress.

8. Bulik, C. M., & Reichborn-Kjennerud, T. (2006). Genetics of eating disorders and obesity. Journal of Eating Disorders, 7(1), 18-27.

   • This study investigates the relationship between weight stigma, genetic factors, and eating disorders, focusing on how societal weight biases might exacerbate genetic predispositions to disorders like anorexia or bulimia.

9. Brewis, A. A., & Meyer, M. (2011). Weight bias and obesity stigma: The impact of weight bias on public health outcomes. The Journal of Social Issues, 67(1), 68-86.

   • This article provides a broad overview of the social implications of weight stigma, discussing how weight bias can negatively affect access to healthcare, job opportunities, and other aspects of societal participation.

10. Puhl, R. M., & Latner, J. D. (2007). Stigma, obesity, and the health of the nation's children. Psychological Bulletin, 133(4), 557-580.

    • Puhl and Latner review the stigmatization of obesity in children and how it influences mental health, school performance, and overall well-being. This study also addresses interventions and strategies to combat weight bias.

11. Cohen, L. W., & Gorman, K. (2008). Social consequences of weight-based stigma and discrimination. Social Psychology, 41(1), 15-29.

    • This study examines the broader social consequences of weight stigma, including its effects on interpersonal relationships and social exclusion.

12. Schwartz, M. B., Vartanian, L. R., Nosek, B. A., & Brownell, K. D. (2006). The influence of one's own body weight on implicit anti-fat bias. Obesity, 14(3), 440-447.

    • This study investigates how an individual’s own body weight may influence their internalized bias toward others with obesity, demonstrating the pervasiveness of weight stigma within different groups.

These studies represent a growing body of research on the harmful impacts of weight stigma across various domains of life, including psychological health, social interactions, healthcare access, and overall well-being. Weight stigma is an important issue to address, not only to reduce its prevalence but also to mitigate its negative consequences for individuals who face discrimination based on their body size.