Obese women are significantly more likely to be discriminated against when applying for a job and receive lower salaries than their non-overweight according to a research study published by Monash University.

 

The study, published in the International Journal of Obesity, examined whether a recently developed indicator of anti-fat prejudice, the universal measure of bias (UMB), predicted obesity discrimination.

 

The study also examined whether or not body image and dimensions of personality such as authoritarianism and social dominance orientation, were related to obesity discrimination.

 

“Participants viewed a series of resumes that had a small photo of the supposed job applicant attached, and were asked to make ratings of the applicants’ suitability, starting salary and employability,” Lead Researcher Dr Kerry O’Brien said.

 

“We used pictures of women pre-and post-bariatric surgery, and varied whether participants saw a resume that had a picture of an obese female attached, or the same female but in a normal weight range having undergone bariatric surgery.

 

“We found that obesity discrimination was displayed across all selection criteria, such as starting salary, leadership potential, and likelihood of selection for the job.”