Adherence
Perceived weight discrimination is associated with a significantly increased risk of becoming obese (BMI ≥30) and remaining obese over a four-year longitudinal period in adults aged 50 and older.
If you are experiencing weight-based discrimination, do not blame yourself for struggling with weight management. The stress of discrimination triggers physiological and behavioral responses (like stress-eating and avoiding exercise) that promote weight gain. This is a documented health risk factor, not a personal failure of willpower. Focus on stress management and supportive environments rather than expecting stigma to drive change.
Participants who experienced weight discrimination were approximately 2.5 times more likely to become obese by follow-up (OR = 2.54, 95% CI = 1.58–4.08) and participants who were obese at baseline were three times more likely to remain obese at follow up (OR = 3.20, 95% CI = 2.06–4.97) than those who had not experienced such discrimination.
Why this rating
Large, nationally representative longitudinal sample (N=6,157) with robust statistical controls, though reliance on self-reported weight for a subset introduces potential bias.
Source
Perceived Weight Discrimination and Obesity
Angelina R. Sutin et al. · PLoS ONE · 2013
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