Obesity stigma in sexual relationships.

OBJECTIVE

Obese children are stigmatized in same-sex relationships. This study examines whether, in adulthood, obesity stigma exists in adults when they are asked to rank order preferences for a sexual partner.

RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES

Following the methods of Richardson et al. (Richardson SA, Goodman N, Hastorf AH, Dornbusch SM. Cultural uniformity in reaction to physical disabilities. Am Sociol Rev. 1961;26:241-247) and Latner and Stunkard (Latner J, Stunkard AJ, Wilson GT. Age, ethnic and gender differences in stigmatization of obesity. Orlando, FL: International Conference on Eating Disorders; 2004), 449 college students were asked to rank order six drawings of potential sexual partners. The drawings included an obese partner, partners with various other disabilities, and a healthy partner.

RESULTS

The least-preferred partners were obese. Men, compared with women, provided significantly lower ranks for obese partners (U = 20,180.00, z = -2.84, p = 0.01).

DISCUSSION

Despite the fact that the majority of adults in the U.S. are overweight, discrimination on the basis of weight occurs in making a choice of a sexual partner. Males particularly make choices of partner based on their weight. Obesity stigma may specifically affect women in sexual relationships. Weight-related stigma needs to be addressed in the treatment of binge eating disorder or weight management. Finding ways to change attitudes and behavior toward the overweight is a goal for future research in the area.