Weight stigma among diverse ethnic groups with obesity in the U.S.: the USA-OBESTIGMA study
Authors' conclusion
Among an ethnically diverse U.S. cohort of adults with obesity, most participants perceive themselves as having overweight and not obesity. HISP exhibited greater aversion and prejudices towards people with obesity, NHW reported more stigmatizing situations and NHB the lowest internalization of negative bias. These findings should be incorporated when developing or implementing culturally appropriate educational or interventional programs for people with obesity.
Study context
- Population
- U.S. adults (≥18 years) with body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m² at two academic centers; age 54.9 ± 13 years, 59% females, 42% hispanic (HISP), 23% non-Hispanic White (NHW), 35% non-Hispanic Black (NHB); BMI 36.7 ± 6.2
- Participants
- 296 adults
- Exposure
- HISP vs NHW vs NHB adults with obesity
- Outcome
- Weight-related aversion/prejudices (Anti-Fat Attitudes (AFA)), stigmatizing experiences (SSI-B) and internalization of negative weight bias (Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS))
Methodological detailsobservational, two academic centers, validated surveys
- Observational
- Two academic centers
- Validated surveys
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
AFA score (weight-related aversion/prejudices)
HISP
3.6
± 1.3
NHW
3.3
± 1.1
NHB
2.1
± 1.2
P < 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | HISP | NHW | NHB | P value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSI-B score (stigmatizing experiences)Between NHW and HISP · three-group comparison (HISP vs NHW vs NHB); highest in NHW | 1.2 ± 1.1 | 2.0 ± 1.4 | 1.2 ± 1.4 | P < 0.001 |
| WBIS score (internalization of negative weight bias)Between NHB and HISP · three-group comparison (HISP vs NHW vs NHB); lowest in NHB | 2.7 ± 1.2 | 3.0 ± 1.3 | 2.3 ± 1.2 | P < 0.001 |
Self-perceived weight status
- Perceived themselves as having overweight
- 72%
- Perceived themselves as having obesity
- 24%
Original publication
Weight stigma among diverse ethnic groups with obesity in the U.S.: the USA-OBESTIGMA study. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 14 February 2026. doi:10.
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