Food Insecurity and Weight Discrimination: A Gender-Based Study

Abstract

Food insecurity has been identified as an understudied risk factor for weight-based stigma and discrimination. This study leverages data from 1,904 working-age adults to examine the food insecurity–weight-based discrimination relationship, as well as tests gender differences for this association. Logistic regression models revealed that food insecurity was significantly associated with higher odds of reporting weight-based discrimination in both unadjusted and adjusted models. Importantly, this association was only significant in the female sample. Contrary to expectations, body mass index (BMI) did not moderate this relationship among women. These findings highlight the gendered nature of the food insecurity–weight discrimination link, underscoring the need for targeted interventions and policies addressing food insecurity and weight stigma, particularly among women. Specifically, public health practitioners should consider screening for both food insecurity and experiences of weight discrimination, especially when working with female patients. Furthermore, policymakers should consider the interconnected nature of food insecurity and weight discrimination when designing programs to address either issue. Finally, future research should explore the mechanisms underlying these associations and investigate potential interventions to mitigate the negative impacts of food insecurity and weight discrimination on health and well-being.