This systematic review synthesizes evidence on the prevalence of experienced and internalized weight stigma in general adult populations. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and PsycINFO was conducted from inception to October 2025, following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Eligible studies included community-based, non-clinical adult samples (⩾18 years) reporting weight stigma using validated instruments. Eight cross-sectional studies (n = 18,335) from six countries met inclusion criteria. Both experienced and internalized weight stigma were consistently observed across populations, with generally higher levels reported among women. Estimates varied across cultural contexts and were influenced by differences in measurement tools, scoring approaches, and sample characteristics. Overall, findings suggest that weight stigma is a prevalent and measurable phenomenon in the general adult population. The development of standardized, culturally validated instruments is needed to improve global surveillance and enable robust cross-country comparisons.
AlbergaASPickeringBJAlix HaydenK, et al. (2016) Weight bias reduction in health professionals: A systematic review. Clinical Obesity6(3): 175–188.
2.
AlthumiriNABasyouniMHAlMousaN, et al. (2021) Exploring weight stigma in Saudi Arabia: A nationwide cross-sectional study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health18(17): 9141.
3.
Byker ShanksCBrueningMYarochAL (2025) BMI or not to BMI? debating the value of body mass index as a measure of health in adults. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity22(1): 23.
4.
ClarkOLeeMMJingreeML, et al. (2021) Weight Stigma and social media: Evidence and public health solutions. Frontiers in Nutrition8: 739056.
5.
CuiTXiJBarnhartWR, et al. (2026) Sex and gender differences in weight bias internalization: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Obesity Reviews Epub ahead of print 8 February 2026. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.70089
6.
DursoLELatnerJD (2008) Understanding self-directed stigma: Development of the weight bias internalization scale. Obesity16(S2): 80–86.
7.
EmmerCBosnjakMMataJ (2020) The association between weight stigma and mental health: a meta-analysis. Obesity Reviews21(1): e12935.
8.
ForouharVEdacheIYSalasXR, et al. (2023) Weight bias internalization and beliefs about the causes of obesity among the Canadian public. BMC Public Health23(1): 1621.
9.
GalindoRJArevaloGZabalaZ, et al. (2026) Weight stigma among diverse ethnic groups with obesity in the U.S.: The USA-OBESTIGMA study. International Journal of Obesity50: 1027–1034. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-026-02028-z
10.
GerendMALuAWTeetsEL (2025) Weight stigma and mental health in a racially and ethnically diverse sample of US adults. Frontiers in Psychiatry16: 1593145.
11.
GerendMAWilkinsonLJSutinAR, et al. (2024) Sociodemographic predictors of perceived weight discrimination. International Journal of Obesity48(9): 1231–1237.
12.
HerzogRÁlvarez-PasquinMJDíazC, et al. (2013) Are healthcare workers’ intentions to vaccinate related to their knowledge, beliefs and attitudes? A systematic review. BMC Public Health13(1): 154.
HungerJMMajorB (2015) Weight stigma mediates the association between BMI and self-reported health. Health Psychology34(2): 172–175.
15.
JenkinsPEBaysenL (2025) The modified weight bias internalization scale: Psychometric validation of three versions in a sample of university students. Eating and Weight Disorders–Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity30(1): 28.
16.
KahanSPuhlRM (2017) The damaging effects of weight bias internalization. Obesity25(2): 280–281.
17.
KaperaOChenBAlmandozJP, et al. (2024) Prevalence of weight stigma in medical settings among reproductive-aged women in the all of us study. Obstetrics and Gynecology144(1): 89–97.
18.
LevineMP (2023) Prevention of eating disorders: 2022 in review. Eating Disorders31(2): 106–127.
19.
LevinsonJAKinkel-RamSMyersB, et al. (2024) A systematic review of weight stigma and disordered eating cognitions and behaviors. Body Image48: 101678.
20.
LillisJLuomaJBLevinME, et al. (2010) Measuring weight self-stigma: The weight self-stigma questionnaire. Obesity18(5): 971–976.
21.
MeadowsADaníelsdóttirS (2016) What’s in a word? On weight stigma and terminology. Frontiers in Psychology7: 1527.
22.
MeadowsAHiggsS (2019) The multifaceted nature of weight-related self-stigma: Validation of the two-factor weight bias internalization scale (WBIS-2F). Frontiers in Psychology10: 808.
23.
O’BrienKSLatnerJDPuhlRM, et al. (2016) The relationship between weight stigma and eating behavior is explained by weight bias internalization and psychological distress. Appetite102: 70–76.
24.
PageMJMcKenzieJEBossuytPM, et al. (2021) The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ74: 790–799.
25.
PanzaGAArmstrongLETaylorBA, et al. (2018) Weight bias among exercise and nutrition professionals: a systematic review. Obesity Reviews19(11): 1492–1503.
26.
PapadopoulosSBrennanL (2015) Correlates of weight stigma in adults with overweight and obesity: A systematic literature review. Obesity23(9): 1743–1760.
27.
PapatsarakiAPappaDKoreliA, et al. (2024) Investigation of internalized weight-related stigma: Progression to dietary addiction and the role of stress. Cureus16: e55007. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.55007
28.
PaulusCMMeinkenS (2022) The effectiveness of empathy training in health care: A meta-analysis of training content and methods. International Journal of Medical Education13: 1–9.
29.
PearlRLPuhlRM (2016) The distinct effects of internalizing weight bias: An experimental study. Body Image17: 38–42.
30.
PearlRLPuhlRM (2018) Weight bias internalization and health: a systematic review. Obesity Reviews19(8): 1141–1163.
31.
PruntyAClarkMKHahnA, et al. (2020) Enacted weight stigma and weight self stigma prevalence among 3821 adults. Obesity Research & Clinical Practice14(5): 421–427.
32.
PuhlRMHeuerCA (2009) The stigma of obesity: A review and update. Obesity17(5):941–964.
33.
PuhlRMHimmelsteinMSQuinnDM (2018) Internalizing weight stigma: Prevalence and sociodemographic considerations in US adults. Obesity26(1): 167–175.
34.
RobbinsMRinaldiKBrochuPM, et al. (2025) Words are heavy: Weight-related terminology preferences are associated with larger-bodied people’s health behaviors and beliefs. Body Image53: 101860.
35.
Rojas-SánchezASarrazinPJoëtG, et al. (2022) Motivational processes of the relationship between weight stigma and physical activity: A comparison between France and Mexico. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology20(4): 1117–1132.
36.
RuckJKrauthausenMTiedemannE, et al. (2025) Awareness to weight stigma: The effect of a multi-approach course unit on weight-related stigmatization among medical students. Frontiers in Education10: 1565119.
37.
SelenskyJCCarelsRA (2021) Weight stigma and media: An examination of the effect of advertising campaigns on weight bias, internalized weight bias, self-esteem, body image, and affect. Body Image36: 95–106.
38.
SohierLBreartyCMLeBlancS, et al. (2025) Weight bias among students and employees in university settings: An exploratory study. BMC Public Health25(1): 693.
39.
SonnevilleKRThurstonIBGordonAR, et al. (2024) Weight stigma associated with mental health concerns among college students. American Journal of Preventive Medicine66(2): 260–268.
40.
SpahlholzJBaerNKönigH-H, et al. (2016) Obesity and discrimination – a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Obesity Reviews17(1): 43–55.
41.
StangA (2010) Critical evaluation of the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for the assessment of the quality of nonrandomized studies in meta-analyses. European Journal of Epidemiology25(9): 603–605.
42.
ThedingaHKZehlRThielA (2021) Weight stigma experiences and self-exclusion from sport and exercise settings among people with obesity. BMC Public Health21(1): 565.
43.
TylkaTLAnnunziatoRABurgardD, et al. (2014) The weight-inclusive versus weight-normative approach to health: Evaluating the evidence for prioritizing well-being over weight loss. Journal of Obesity2014: 1–18.
44.
VartanianLR (2015) Development and validation of a brief version of the stigmatizing situations inventory. Obesity Science & Practice1(2): 119–125.
45.
WetzelKEHimmelsteinMS (2023) Constant vigilance: The impact of weight stigma, vigilance, and internalization on maladaptive eating behaviors. Health Psychology42(10): 712–722.
46.
World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe (2017) Weight Bias and Obesity Stigma: Considerations for the WHO European Region. World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe, pp.1–5.
47.
WuYKBerryDC (2018) Impact of weight stigma on physiological and psychological health outcomes for overweight and obese adults: A systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing74(5): 1030–1042.
