According to new research published on July 24 in the journal PLoS ONE by Angelina Sutin and Antonio Terracciano from Florida State University College of Medicine, weight discrimination could increase the risk of obesity rather than motivate people to lose weight.

These two researchers compared the height and weight of more than 6,000 study participants, measured in both 2006 and 2010. What they found was that people who experienced discrimination earlier were 2.5 times more likely to have become obese by the time of the follow-up assessment in 2010. Participants that were already obese and perceived discrimination in 2006 were more likely to remain obese than those who did not perceive discrimination. Discrimination based on gender or race did not appear to have the same correlation with weight. “Weightism” also appeared to be independent from age, ethnicity or education.

Sutin said, “In addition to the well-known emotional and economic costs, our results suggest that weight discrimination also increases risk of obesity. This could lead to a vicious cycle where individuals who are overweight and obese are more vulnerable to weight discrimination, and this discrimination may contribute to subsequent obesity and difficulties with weight management.”

The co-researchers discussed stereotypes in their journal article, stating, “People who are obese are often perceived as lazy, unsuccessful, and weak-willed. These beliefs about individuals with obesity are often translated into negative attitudes, discrimination, and verbal and physical assaults. Such bias can have severe psychological consequences.”

Simon Rego, director of psychology training at Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, commented on the study article to Health 24, “This study suggests that weight discrimination may have consequences not only on mental health, increased vulnerability to depression, lower self-esteem, but physical health as well.”

About 80 percent of American adults are currently considered obese, with the percentage of obese children rising each year.

Although this new study did show an association between weight discrimination and obesity, it did not prove a cause and effect link.