The Dangers of Stereotypes About Weight, Size, and Shape
Stereotypes based on weight, shape, and size run rampant in our modern society and help inform weight stigma, a dangerous attitude that can lead to very real mental, physical, and emotional complications.
Events like Weight Stigma Awareness Week work to help people understand the truth about weight, shape, size, and inherent worth, and can help someone let go of these damaging stereotypes and adopt a healthier—and more helpful—outlook.
Where do weight-based stereotypes come from?
Unfortunately, weight-based stereotypes can and often do, come from a variety of sources, including:
- Popular culture, online content, and other media
- Advertisements
- Healthcare providers
- Peers, family, co-workers, and other acquaintances
One study found these stereotypes encourage viewers to see these characters as lazy, gluttonous, and generally “bad” people. (1) This compares to those in smaller bodies, who are generally seen as “good” people, industrious, and hard-working. (1)
Many advertisements piggyback off these harmful ideas, using weight-based stereotypes for hurtful comedic effects in their ads or to promote certain products to certain people. (1,4)
Healthcare Settings
Weight stigma in a healthcare setting can lead to interference in medical care, improper diagnoses, disruption in the therapeutic alliance, further internalization of shame, avoidance of healthcare, and, for many patients, is traumatizing.
Weight-related stereotypes: What’s the harm?
Unfortunately, weight-related stereotypes and the stigma associated with them aren’t just prevalent but can lead to real mental, physical, and emotional harm.
Weight stigma has been connected to bullying aimed at children and young adults at school and beyond and linked to an increased risk of depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and low self-esteem. (3) This type of bullying also puts people at risk of frequent binge eating and reduced physical activity, which could lead to a number of health concerns. (3)
When experienced in a healthcare setting, weight stigma can lead to an increased chance of patients canceling or failing to follow up on appointments, which can ultimately increase their risk of developing serious, unaddressed medical issues. (3) One study made the shocking estimation that experiencing
weight-based discrimination could increase someone’s mortality rate by as much as 60%. (3)
Importance of letting go of weight-related stereotypes
Stereotypes that people in larger bodies are “lazy,” “weak-willed,” or “gluttonous” suggest that these people are architects of their own health and, therefore, personally responsible for any related issues. (4)
Conveying weight as a personal responsibility has been found to elicit less feelings of helpfulness around certain health concerns, lower levels of pity, and higher levels of anger from others, as well as a greater likelihood of disliking someone for their weight alone. (4) This framework also works to hide the
numerous societal, genetic, and biological factors that play a role in someone’s weight. (4)
Changing how people look at people in larger bodies is an important step in changing how they are treated, the type of medical advice and care they receive, and the overall quality of life they can expect to enjoy.
Combatting Weight-Based Stereotypes
Unfortunately, weight-related stereotypes are deeply embedded in Western society, and eradicating them is a complex task that would likely involve massive education campaigns as well as the reprogramming of much Western media.
Still, there are some ways to combat this issue on a personal level. (5)
Get Educated
Learning more about the biological, genetic, and social contributions to weight can help expand your perspective, taking the onus off the individual and introducing new areas of concern to focus on or address.
Events like Weight Stigma Awareness Week are also wonderful opportunities to learn more about the truth of weight, weight bias, and how to combat the issue. Co-hosted by the Body Equity Alliance and Within (Sep 23-27, 2024), the event involves a number of online sessions, forums, and other chances to learn and share about these important issues.
Be Mindful
When speaking to people in larger bodies, refrain from commenting on their weight or appearance, and be mindful of the language you use. You can also encourage others to do so and speak up if you see or hear someone making rude or hurtful comments.
Be Proactive
If you have a school-aged child, you can look into any anti-bullying policies at their school or lobby to create them if none exist. The same is true of workplace environments.
If you experience weight bias in a healthcare setting, you should have a frank discussion with your doctor about it. Hopefully, this will encourage a more trusting relationship and honest conversation about your feelings and health.
Dr. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt is the Co-Founder, CEO, and Chief Medical Officer of Within, a comprehensive, remote eating disorder treatment provider and has more than 25 years of clinical experience. She is also the co-creator of Weight Stigma Awareness Week (co-hosted by Within), which she began while serving as the Chairman of the Binge Eating Disorder Association as a way to improve awareness of weight stigma and the seriousness of its effects.
Resources
- Carels, R. A., Hinman, N. G., Burmeister, J. M., Hoffmann, D. A., Ashrafioun, L., & Koball, A. M. (2013). Stereotypical images and implicit weight bias in overweight/obese people. Eating and Weight Disorders, 18(4), 441–445.
- BMI a poor metric for measuring people’s health, say experts. (2022, October 27). Harvard School of Public Health. Accessed August 2024.
- Fulton, M., Dadana, S., Srinivasan, V.N. (2023, October 26). Obesity, Stigma, and Discrimination. StatPearls. Accessed August 2024.
- Puhl, R. M., & Heuer, C. A. (2010). Obesity stigma: important considerations for public health. American Journal of Public Health, 100(6), 1019–1028.
- Puhl, R. Combating Weight Bias: Why We Need to Take Action. (2017). Obesity Action Coalition. Accessed August 2024.