Weight Stigma in Our Modern Culture: What It Is and How to Tackle It
Weight stigma, or discrimination based on body weight and size, is not a new issue in our world. Despite progress in various areas of social justice, weight stigma remains one of the most pervasive yet under-acknowledged forms of discrimination.
It shows up in so many aspects of life—workplaces, healthcare, education, and even media. As a result, it significantly affects mental and physical health. While this may be something we’ve come to live with, we can find ways to navigate through it and ultimately heal from some of the impact it’s had.
Note: Weight stigma is a pervasive, systemic issue, and harm will always exist. It is likely not possible to completely heal from an issue that is continually perpetrating harm, but this is our perspective on how to start.
What is Weight Stigma?
Weight stigma refers to the societal devaluation of individuals based on their weight, often manifesting as negative stereotypes, discrimination, and exclusion. It affects people of all sizes but disproportionately impacts those living in larger bodies.
Common stereotypes associated with weight stigma include perceptions that individuals in larger bodies are lazy, lack willpower, or have poor self-control, none of which are based on scientific evidence.
In healthcare, weight stigma is especially dangerous, as it can lead to patients being misdiagnosed or not receiving appropriate care. Research shows that healthcare professionals often make biased assumptions about a person's health based solely on their weight, leading to underdiagnosis of conditions like eating disorders or serious illnesses.
For example, larger-bodied patients often receive advice to "lose weight" without appropriate medical follow-ups, which can prevent timely intervention for critical health issues.
The Difference Between Weight Stigma and Weight Bias
The terms weight stigma and weight bias are often used interchangeably, but they represent different aspects of how society views and treats individuals based on body size.
Weight Stigma
Weight stigma refers to the social devaluation and discriminatory systems and attitudes toward people based on their weight. It is how societal norms and cultural expectations stigmatize larger bodies, leading to social exclusion, negative stereotyping, and prejudice.
Weight bias, on the other hand, refers to individual attitudes and beliefs that people hold about others based on their weight.
It is the internalization of societal norms about body size, which leads to prejudice or unfair treatment of individuals in larger bodies.
Weight bias can be implicit (unconscious) or explicit (conscious), and it often is what leads to weight stigma. For example, healthcare providers may have implicit weight biases that lead them to offer lower-quality care or make incorrect assumptions about a patient’s health.
The Cultural Roots of Weight Stigma
The origins of weight stigma are deeply rooted in cultural attitudes toward body image, beginning with racism and further influenced by Western beauty ideals that prioritize thinness. The book, Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia, written by Sabrina Strings, clearly illustrates this connection among black people, and in particular women.
As Maya Feller, RD, explains to Well + Good: “Black and brown people in larger bodies experience a double social burden and women and femmes of color experience triple burdens.”
In addition, media, advertising, and the fashion industry contribute to the normalization of this bias by promoting narrow standards of beauty. These pressures disproportionately affect women and people from marginalized communities, reinforcing systemic inequalities.
The COVID-19 pandemic further amplified weight stigma as public health messaging sometimes implied that those with higher body weights were solely responsible for poor health outcomes.
This narrative not only stigmatized those living in larger bodies but also failed to account for the complex interplay of genetics, environment, socioeconomic factors, and access to healthcare that contribute to both body size and health outcomes.
The Impact of Weight Stigma on Health
Contrary to popular belief, weight stigma does not motivate people to adopt healthier lifestyles. It’s actually been found to lead to weight changes. What’s more, individuals who experience weight stigma are more likely to engage in disordered eating behaviors.
The persistence of weight stigma is further exacerbated by the diet and wellness industry, which profits from perpetuating these biases.
Billions are spent each year on weight loss products and programs, reinforcing the idea that body size is something to be "fixed" rather than accepted. This narrative contributes to the stigmatization of larger bodies, fueling a cycle of discrimination and body dissatisfaction.
Despite its harmful effects, weight stigma remains socially accepted in many, if not most, areas of life in our modern culture.
Unlike other forms of discrimination that are more widely recognized and condemned, weight stigma is often normalized or even justified under the guise of concern for health.
Addressing Weight Stigma: What Can We Do?
Addressing weight stigma requires both individual and collective action. Here are some steps to move toward a more inclusive and compassionate society—and how you can confront your own biases while also healing from its impact in your life.
1. Challenge Internalized Bias
Many of us have internalized weight biases due to societal conditioning. Start by reflecting on your own perceptions of weight and body size. Do you subconsciously equate thinness with health or success?
Work on unlearning these harmful stereotypes and embracing body diversity. You can learn a lot about your own internal beliefs and where they came from with these books:
Dig even further into the many important books that have been written on these topics with this great list from Your Fat Friend.
2. Notice Your Language
Language plays a powerful role in shaping societal attitudes—and it’s something that’s easily overlooked.
Avoid using terms that reinforce weight stigma, such as "fat" in a derogatory way or phrases like "lose weight for health." Instead, use neutral and compassionate language when discussing body size and health.
Here are a few great resources for understanding the language nuances and how to shift yours:
Preferred Language for Weight-Inclusive Conversations with Youth and Their Families
Guide for Using Weight-Inclusive and Non-Stigmatizing Language
3. Support Body Inclusivity in Media
Representation matters—and your support of the organizations, people, and brands that promote inclusivity matters.
Make it a point to shop, engage, and promote media and brands that prioritize body diversity and challenge the glorification of thinness.
This can be especially true on social media, where so many are affected by diet culture and you can reach far beyond your immediate community.
By doing so, we can help shift cultural norms toward greater acceptance of all body types. This also exposes you to a wider range of body types and voices, which helps you heal too.
4. Demand Policy Changes
On a systemic level, we need to push for policies that address weight stigma in healthcare, education, and employment.
Healthcare professionals, in particular, need to receive training to reduce bias in their treatment of patients. Public health campaigns must also decouple weight from health to prevent further stigmatization.
While it feels there’s little you can do as an individual here, there are many ways to get involved.
Learn more about Eating Disorders Awareness Week and Weight Stigma Awareness Week
Volunteer to support non-profits who are working to fight weight stigma
Find ways to get involved and share your story about weight-inclusive legislation, like this law that was passed in Colorado
5. Advocate for and Practice Self-Compassion
Healing from weight stigma starts with self-compassion. Recognize that you deserve respect and kindness, regardless of your body size—and remind those you love of this too.
Surround yourself with supportive people, seek out inclusive spaces, and practice mindfulness to build a positive relationship with your body.
Making a regular practice of this can help you heal your own internalized weight bias and take steps toward healing from disordered eating behaviors and challenges with your body image.
6. Educate Yourself and Others
Finally, continued education is so important. Keep reading about the latest research on weight stigma and share this knowledge with others. The more we understand the complexities of weight and health, the better equipped we are to challenge harmful stereotypes and promote body acceptance.
Weight Stigma is Common—but It Doesn’t Have to Be the Norm
Weight stigma is deeply ingrained in our modern culture, but it is not insurmountable. By challenging our own biases, advocating for change, and embracing body diversity, we can begin to dismantle the harmful narratives that perpetuate discrimination—for ourselves and for others.
Tackling weight stigma is a journey that requires compassion and education. While it may not seem like a lot, simply committing to changing the narrative within your mind and in your community does make a difference.
