Fat shaming has long been known to cause detrimental effects on mental health, but it could directly impact physical health, as well. Those who felt stigmatized due to their weight had higher risks of metabolic syndrome, the risk factors involved in diabetes, heart disease and other ailments, researchers have found.
The study, published Thursday in the scientific journal Obesity, was conducted by researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. It sought to study the effects of negative, prejudicial beliefs known as weight bias as well as the discrimination known as weight stigma, which many overweight people experience.
