Weight discrimination at higher BMI
- Published in
- Int J Obes 2008
- People studied
- 2,290
In a national US survey, about 4 in 10 adults with a BMI of 35 or more reported discrimination because of their weight or height.
- Checked against
- PubMed 18317471
- Published in
- Int J Obes 2008
- Last checked
- 30 October 2026
Key takeaway
This national survey asked 2,290 US adults aged 25 to 74 about discrimination they had faced. About 4 in 10 adults with a BMI of 35 or more reported discrimination because of their weight or height. Across the survey, it happened both at work and between people, such as being called names. Women with a BMI of 30 to 35 were about 3 times as likely to report it as men of a similar weight.
At a glance
- Type of study
- national survey of US adults
- People studied
- 2,290
- Compared with
- adults with a lower BMI, and discrimination because of race or gender
- Main result
- About 4 in 10 adults with BMI 35+ reported weight discrimination.
- Strength of evidence
- Long-term or observational studies
What this study does not show
People reported their own experiences, and the survey is from 1995 to 1996 in the US. Weight and height discrimination were asked about together.
Results from studies in groups of people, mostly in diet and movement programmes. They cannot be promised to any one person. This information is educational and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.
More on social life
- Better social functioningSmall or uncontrolled studies · Kaukua et al., Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2002
- Weight discrimination at higher BMILong-term or observational studies · Puhl et al., Int J Obes 2008
- Subtle bias from shop staffLong-term or observational studies · King et al., J Appl Psychol 2006
- Less social isolation, in womenLong-term or observational studies · Hajek and König, Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021
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