Document Detail


Weight bias in work settings - a qualitative review.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20215793     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Studies have repeatedly demonstrated the influence of physical appearance on behavior and treatment of individuals in work settings. A high proportion of obese individuals in the USA have reported perceived discrimination in the work place due to their body weight. The present review examines the specific kind, context and extent of a weight bias in work settings. METHODS: We performed a literature search in the scientific databases PubMed and PsychINFO to identify studies which have investigated aspects of a potential weight bias in the occupational context. RESULTS: There is evidence from self-report data, surveys, and laboratory research for a weight bias in five aspects of work life. Evidence shows that obesity is a general barrier to employment, certain professions and professional success. Obese individuals are at higher risk of encountering stereotypes concerning their work-related qualities and for general unequal treatment in the work place. CONCLUSION: Current evidence reveals a weight bias in several areas in the work place. The ecological validity of results is limited due to the predominant reliance on laboratory studies with student samples. Field studies are needed to examine weight-based discrimination in actual work environments as well as to uncover underlying mechanisms.
Authors:
Katrin Elisabeth Giel; Ansgar Thiel; Martin Teufel; Jochen Mayer; Stephan Zipfel
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review     Date:  2010-02-11
Journal Detail:
Title:  Obesity facts     Volume:  3     ISSN:  1662-4025     ISO Abbreviation:  Obes Facts     Publication Date:  2010 Feb 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-03-10     Completed Date:  2010-04-30     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101469429     Medline TA:  Obes Facts     Country:  Switzerland    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  33-40     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Affiliation:
Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical University Hospital T?bingen, University T?bingen, Germany. katrin.giel@med.uni-tuebingen.de
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Body Weight* / physiology
Employment / psychology,  statistics & numerical data
Humans
Obesity / psychology
Overweight / psychology
Prejudice*
Socioeconomic Factors
Stereotyping
Workplace / psychology*

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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