Hormonal
Weight stigma and discrimination act as independent social determinants of obesity that increase adiposity through biological stress pathways (glucocorticoid activity) and behavioral coping mechanisms, regardless of individual health behaviors.
Recognize that stress from discrimination can biologically and behaviorally contribute to weight gain, independent of your personal choices. Addressing this requires systemic changes and supportive environments, not just individual willpower. Healthcare providers should screen for discrimination exposure and address stigma to improve health outcomes equitably.
Increasing evidence indicates that interpersonal discrimination (unfair treatment based on aspects of one’s identity) can increase obesity risk through behavioral coping mechanisms that offset energy balance (i.e., unhealthy eating or poor sleep quality) and biological pathways (i.e., increased activity of the glucocorticoid hormone, which increases abdominal fat deposits).
Why this rating
The paper cites longitudinal studies (Ref 29, 30, 36) and systematic reviews, though it calls for more research, indicating strong but evolving evidence.
Source
Breaking Academic Silos: Pedagogical Recommendations for Equitable Obesity Prevention Training and Research During an Age of Nutrition Polarization
Salima Taylor et al. · AJPM Focus · 2024
DOI 10.1016/j.focus.2024.100217
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