An international and intersectional exploration of weight stigma across the lifecourse of women

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Claudia Luck-Sikorski
• Subject Area: Empirical Social Research
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 542502165

Weight stigma is defined as social misconceptions and negative stereotypes associated with weight. Previous research has shown that women who experience weight stigma have a greater likelihood of social withdrawal, poor mental wellbeing, and disordered eating. Women are exposed to weight stigmatizing messaging throughout the life-course, with body ideals being promoted from adolescence into adulthood. Women may also experience weight stigma internalization which refers to accepting and self-directing negative weight stereotypes. Problematically, current knowledge on weight stigma is predominantly informed by homogenous populations inclusive of heterosexual, white, high-income women. Factors like migrating to a Western community, identifying with a minority racial/ethnic or sexual orientation group, socioeconomic status and disability may influence experiences of weight stigma. Applying an intersectional approach, we will explore weight stigma across the life-course of underrepresented women. Study 1 involves interviewing women who identify with a marginalized identity to share their experience of weight stigma across the life-course and potentially during life events where weight and bodies may change (e.g., childhood/adolescence, pregnancy/postpartum, menopause/post-menopause). In study 2 we will administer a multi-national survey to women to assess relationships between weight stigma internalization and wellbeing (e.g., stress, and weight control behaviors), and the moderating and additive effect of having one or more marginalized identity. We will bring together findings from both studies across three countries (Canada, Germany, UK) in a roundtable, where with key stakeholders through our cooperation partners, women with lived experience of weight stigma, and weight stigma researchers, we will discuss amalgamating findings from studies 1 and 2, identify remaining gaps in research and directions forward for advocacy initiatives. This roundtable will be transcribed live by an illustrator, resulting in a creative output to support dissemination. Three racially/ethnically diverse, Western countries with high migration rates and varying socioeconomic status groups, thus similar demographic distributions, are collaborating. This international partnership is integral given that weight stigma is a global issue, and accordingly, a collaborative approach is required to inform mitigation strategies that can have a worldwide impact on the wellbeing of women.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Canada, United Kingdom
• Cooperation Partners: Professorin Tanjya Nagpal; Professorin Shelina Visram