Residual Obesity Stigma: An Experimental Investigation of Bias Against Obese and Lean Targets Differing in Weight-Loss History
Authors’ Interview: Janet Latner, Daria Ebneter, and Kerry O’Brien
Janet D. Latner, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
University of Hawaii at Manoa
2530 Dole Street, Sakamaki C400
Honolulu, HI 96822
What are the main findings of the study?
Young men and women were asked to read vignettes describing a woman who had either lost weight (70 pounds/32 kilograms) or had remained weight stable, and who was either currently obese or currently thin.
Participants were then asked their opinions about this woman, such as how much they found her attractive.
Surprisingly, currently thin women were viewed differently depending on their weight history. Those who had been obese in the past were perceived as less attractive than those who had always been thin, despite having identical height and weight. Participants were also questioned about their dislike of obese people in general.
After reading about women who had lost weight, participants expressed greater bias against obese people than after reading about women who had remained weight stable – regardless of whether the weight-stable woman was thin or obese.
In other words, our negative attitudes towards obese persons may be increased when we are shown that body weight is easily controllable.
Were any of the findings unexpected?
Prejudice against obese people is widespread and harmful. Many obese people are trying to lose weight to escape the painful discrimination and bias they frequently encounter. However, our findings suggest that weight loss actually does not erase the stigma faced by obese people.
What should clinicians and patients take away from this study?
Our findings suggest that even after weight loss, obese people may not ever escape the stigma of obesity.
This “residual stigma” might explain the lower-than-expected earnings and occupational attainment by women who were previously, but no longer, overweight.
This study also suggests that descriptions of weight loss, such as those often promoted in the media, may significantly worsen obesity stigma.
What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of your study?
It is conceivable that in real-world settings, residual stigma might be even worse, for example, for an individual whose family, friends, and colleagues, have long known her and potentially stigmatized her as an obese individual.
Prospective studies, including both quantitative and qualitative investigations, are needed to explore the stigmatizing experiences of individuals who have lost weight.
Citation:
Residual Obesity Stigma: An Experimental Investigation of Bias Against Obese and Lean Targets Differing in Weight-Loss History
Janet D. Latner, Daria S. Ebneter and Kerry S. O’Brien
Obesity (7 March 2012) | doi:10.1038/oby.2012.55