Weight of Words: Description and Impacts of Obesity-Related Stigma

This study investigated weight-related stigmatization in France using a mixed-methods approach with two aims: (1) to generate a systematic inventory of weight-related stigmatizing situations and (2) to examine how quality of life, self-esteem, and internalization of responsibility vary with BMI and sociodemographic factors (age, degree, and bariatric surgery). For the first objective, 252 French women reported a negative weight-related experience between September and December 2024, rated its emotional impact, and identified the source, form, and context of the stigma. For the second objective, 387 women and 63 men completed an online survey measuring attitudes (belief in a just world, self-esteem, and quality of life) and sociodemographic variables (gender, age, BMI, and degree). Qualitative analysis identified 484 stigmatizing incidents, categorized into eight themes. The most common were unpleasant verbal remarks (comments on appearance and weight, normative injunctions, and guilt-inducing statements), mainly from healthcare professionals. Most events occurred in private or semi-private settings such as homes or healthcare environments, often when the individual was alone with another person. Quantitative analyses revealed that greater stigma exposure, especially when paired with higher BMI, was linked to lower quality of life and, consequently, reduced self-esteem. Repeated stigmatization also led to a perception by people with obesity that, while the world is fair to others, it is unfair to them, further undermining their self-worth. These findings highlight the profound psychological toll of weight-related stigmatization and the need for more inclusive social and healthcare environments.