Evidence of the harms of weight stigma and the need for weight neutral care

Weight Stigma is Associated with Chronic Physiological Stress

A 2017 study reported that weight stigma is associated with more than twice the risk of allostatic load exposure. Allostatic load is the chronic and cumulative results of chronic physiological stress. Allostatic load is associated with lipid/metabolic dysregulation, glucose metabolism, markers of inflammation and potentially chronic disease morbidity and mortality.

Weight Stigma Early in Life is Related to Adverse Events

According to a 2017 study, dieting in adolescence is a risk factor for later development of an Eating Disorder.

A 2012 study reports that individuals who began dieting earlier in life, compared to those who dieted later in life, experience more stigmatizing situations.

Parental identification of their child as overweight is not a protective factor to future weight gain; it is associated with additional weight gain over time according to a 2016 study.

Health Care Professionals are Likely to Engage in Weight Stigmatizing Behavior

A 2012 study reports that women report health care facilities as the #1 location that they experience weight stigma.

74% of 1st year medical students exhibit implicit (unconscious) weight bias. 67% exhibit explicit (intentional and controllable) weight bias according to a 2014 study.