Study: 'Fat-shaming' Overweight People Doesn't Help -- And Might Actually Hurt
LONDON, UK (CBS) – A new study conducted in the United Kingdom shows "fat-shaming" doesn't work – and might make overweight people gain more weight.
The research, which focused on nearly 3,000 adults over the course of four years, found that those who reported being discriminated against because of their weight actually put on more pounds than those who didn't.
Scientists say the study's participants were asked questions about whether or not they felt they experienced discrimination based on their weight. Discrimination could include getting poor service at a restaurant or store or being treated disrespectfully. Those who reported feeling discriminated against gained .95 kg (about 2 lbs), while those who didn't lost about .71 kg (1.6 lbs).
And while the study's authors say they cannot determine whether or not being discriminated against causes weight gain, they can say that being disrespected against does not help the obese lose weight.
"There is no justification for discriminating against people because of their weight," says lead author Dr Sarah Jackson, of UCL Epidemiology & Public Health. "Our results show that weight discrimination does not encourage weight loss, and suggest that it may even exacerbate weight gain."
Instead, people who are overweight or obese need support and "when appropriate," treatment.
To read more about the study, which is published in the journal Obesity, click here.
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