Adult weight stigma often 'linked to teen years'

Researchers looked at data from more than 4,000 people aged 31 years

Adults who felt pressurised to lose weight when they were teenagers are at the highest risk of "internalised weight stigma" according to a new study.

Internalised weight stigma is when people apply negative obesity-related stereotypes to themselves, such as thinking they are less attractive, less competent or less valuable as a person because of their weight.

The study, published in The Lancet, was carried out by researchers at the University of Bristol, using data from the Children of the 90s project.

Analysis of more than 4,000 people also found that being bullied in adolescence and early adulthood was linked to weight stigma by the age of 31.

In England, a survey from 2021 estimated that 25.9% of adults in England were obese and a further 37.9% were overweight but not obese.

People who are obese can face stigma and discrimination because of their weight.

The Bristol study revealed that women and non-heterosexuals were at a higher risk of internalised weight stigma.

It is the first time researchers have had access to large amounts of data. Previous studies on this topic have only used small, non-representative samples.

People who spent more of their 20s not in education, employment or training, or whose mothers had fewer educational qualifications, were also at risk.

Dr Amanda Hughes, one of the paper's authors, said: "The family environment in adolescence, bullying, and pressure to lose weight from the media may have long-lasting impacts on how people value themselves based on their weight as adults.

"We have an opportunity to reduce weight stigma and its consequences by changing how we discuss weight in the media, in public spaces, and how we respond to bullying in schools, workplaces, and other settings.

"This is crucial considering how common pressure to lose weight and weight-related bullying, stigma and discrimination are in many cultures around the world."