Food Insecurity and Weight Discrimination: A Gender-Based Study
Gabriele Ciciurkaite1, Bethany Sky Jones1
1Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA.
Summary
Food insecurity increases the risk of weight-based discrimination, particularly for women. This link highlights the need for interventions addressing both food insecurity and weight stigma.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Sociology
- Health Disparities
Background:
- Food insecurity is an understudied determinant of weight-based stigma.
- Weight discrimination impacts health and well-being.
- Gender differences in these associations require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between food insecurity and weight-based discrimination.
- To investigate gender differences in this association.
- To explore the moderating role of body mass index (BMI).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 1,904 working-age adults.
- Logistic regression models to assess associations.
- Stratified analyses by gender.
Main Results:
- Food insecurity was significantly associated with higher odds of weight-based discrimination.
- This association was significant only in the female sample.
- Body mass index (BMI) did not moderate the relationship among women.
Conclusions:
- The link between food insecurity and weight discrimination is gendered, predominantly affecting women.
- Public health practitioners should screen for food insecurity and weight discrimination in female patients.
- Policies addressing food insecurity and weight stigma must consider their interconnectedness.
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