In this episode of The Whole View Podcast, Stacy and I continue the intense discussion from last week and examine just how harmful weight discrimination actually is. We dive into the various studies that emphatically prove the link between weight discrimination and elevated oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, dysregulated cortisol and high allostatic load (a measure of maladaptation to stress). And here is the kicker, researchers were even able to test for conscious vs. unconscious awareness of the discrimination! Not to mention the new data that showed weight discrimination was associated with an almost 60% increased mortality risk… independent of BMI!!!
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Stacy gives some helpful context in regards to understanding that weight is not one of the protected discrimination classes within the United States, as compared with categories that are protected which include race, sex, ethnicity, religion etc. We wrap up by sharing what Stacy and I are doing to change our implicit biases and work through this process in our personal lives. For example, I have finally taken a huge step towards my healing — putting my scale away for good — and I have to say it has taken some real weight off my shoulders (hyuck).
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Recommended Reading and Listening
- TWV Podcast Episode 471: The Harm of Weight Discrimination and Stigma – Part 1
- TWV Podcast Episode 421: The Science Behind Body Image
- TPV Episode 358: How Intuitive Eating Has It Wrong
- Can You Really Be Healthy at Any Size?
Citations
Bacon, L., Aphramor, L. Weight Science: Evaluating the Evidence for a Paradigm Shift. Nutr J 10, 9 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-10-9
Wildman RP, Muntner P, Reynolds K, et al. The Obese Without Cardiometabolic Risk Factor Clustering and the Normal Weight With Cardiometabolic Risk Factor Clustering: Prevalence and Correlates of 2 Phenotypes Among the US Population (NHANES 1999-2004). Arch Intern Med. 2008;168(15):1617–1624. doi:10.1001/archinte.168.15.1617
Bacon L, Stern JS, Van Loan MD, Keim NL. Size acceptance and intuitive eating improve health for obese, female chronic dieters. J Am Diet Assoc. 2005 Jun;105(6):929-36. doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2005.03.011. PMID: 15942543.
Provencher V, Bégin C, Tremblay A, Mongeau L, Corneau L, Dodin S, Boivin S, Lemieux S. Health-At-Every-Size and eating behaviors: 1-year follow-up results of a size acceptance intervention. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009 Nov;109(11):1854-61. doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2009.08.017. PMID: 19857626.
TWV Podcast Episode 471: The Harm of Weight Discrimination and Stigma – Part 1