Visible Vs. Hidden Stigmas - Obesity and Lgbt

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Members Perceptions

Overweight individuals react in unique and sometimes detrimental ways to being stereotyped in our society. It has been documented those with weight stigmas have higher rates of depression, anxiety, social isolation, and poorer psychological assimilation. Worse yet, some believe these negative attitudes and internalize them, only exacerbating their vulnerability that turns into lower self-esteem (Latner, J. D., O'brien, K. S., Durso, L. E., Brinkman, L. A., & Macdonald, T., 2008). Additionally, those stigmatized may have worsened unhealthy habits such as eating more or less exercise in the face of discrimination. This vicious self-fulfilling prophecy can lead to extreme difficultly for sustaining any weight loss. Life perceived through an overweight person’s eyes could be very difficult, as not only is discrimination legal, but also arguably welcomed by every aspect of our society – healthcare, government, and school systems. Finally and interestingly enough, those in this in-group do not receive protection or support from others, but research has shown that obese individuals devalue each other and prefer the out-group, that of thin or average sized people (Puhl, R. M., & Heuer, C. A., 2009). Those affected by these stigmas lead difficult lives in many aspects, and widespread negativity from governmental to interpersonal levels affect overweight people on a daily basis.

As triumphant of a victory the Supreme Court’s ruling was for the LGBT community, being a member is still far from easy. Belonging to this group is empirically linked to many negative effects on the mental and physical health of members. Members are more likely to be rejected by their very own families, leading to tough starts in life that has led to 40% of all homeless youth being LGBT (Stigma and Discrimination, 2015). Disconcertingly enough, those in the LGBT that have experienced rejection are 8 times more likely to commit suicide, 3 times more likely to have depression, and 3 times more likely to use illegal drugs (Stigma and Discrimination, 2015). These negative behaviors are again likely to be attributed from self-fulfilling prophecies beginning at a young age that LGBT people are unacceptable and shouldn’t be treated as normal. It is no surprise that there is still a “coming out” phase where some members chose to publicly identify with being LGBT. However, because of many of the negative externalities LGBT members face, others try and hide their sexuality and deny membership of their group. Unlike the obese, there is a passionate, powerful, and a growing LGBT community in which members can use for support, celebration, and activism. Those who chose to identify as members in this community are often welcomed with open arms from those in their in-group. Essentially, being a sexually stigmatized person is not met without extreme challenges, but they receive strong support from their in-group.

Both the overweight and LGBT community face prejudice and discrimination today. While treatment of LGBT members has gotten more tolerant over time, the opposite holds true for obese people. This is perhaps due to societal norms shifting, or sexual orientations often hidden nature, in opposition to obese people’s inability to hide their stigmatizing feature.

Citations

Andreyeva, T., Puhl, R. M., & Brownell, K. D. (2008). Changes in Perceived Weight Discrimination Among Americans, 1995–1996 Through 2004–2006. Obesity, 16(5), 1129-1134.

Puhl, R. M., & Heuer, C. A. (2009). The Stigma of Obesity: A Review and Update. Obesity, 17(5), 941-964.

Puhl, R., Brownell, K., & Depierre, J. (2014). Bias, Discrimination, and Obesity. Handbook of Obesity Epidemology, Etiology, and Physiopathology, 461-470.

Cox, W. T., Devine, P. G., Bischmann, A. A., & Hyde, J. S. (2015). Inferences About Sexual Orientation: The Roles of Stereotypes, Faces, and The Gaydar Myth. The Journal of Sex Research, 53(2), 157-171.

Latner, J. D., O'brien, K. S., Durso, L. E., Brinkman, L. A., & Macdonald, T. (2008). Weighing obesity stigma: The relative strength of different forms of bias. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord International Journal of Obesity, 32(7), 1145-1152.

Nowrouzi, B. (2015). Weight Bias in the Workplace: A Literature Review. Occup Med Health Aff Occupational Medicine & Health Affairs, 03(03).

Stigma and Discrimination. (2015). Retrieved February 24, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/msmhealth/stigma-and-discrimination.htm