UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health

Negative biases against people with obesity are widespread and can contribute to physical and emotional health problems. Studies of weight stigma often focus on women and indicate that women experience weight strigma more than men. Recent evidence, however, suggests the gap between men and women in experiencing weight stigma may be smaller than previously thought. Yet little research has been conducted on weight stigma in men exclusively – until now. 

A new study of weight stigma in men by the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at the University of Connecticut found that a signifcant portion of adult American men reported being mistreated about their weight. The findings suggest that men may be experiencing weight stigma at similar rates relative to women.

Full citation: Loeb KL, Radnitz C, Keller KL, et al. The Application of Optimal Defaults to Improve Elementary School Lunch Selections: Proof of Concept. J Sch Health. 2018;88(4):265-271. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12611

Full citation: Taber DR, Dulin-Keita A, Fallon M, et al. Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) position statement: Enact taxes on sugar sweetened beverages to prevent chronic disease. Transl Behav Med. 2019;9(1):179-183. https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/iby035

Full citation: Himmelstein MS, Puhl RM, Quinn DM. Weight Stigma in Men: What, When, and by Whom?. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2018;26(6):968-976. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.22162

CACFP is part of the federal food assistance safety net that gives aid to child care programs for the provision of healthy foods to young children (7CFR Part 226). Through CACFP, over 4 million children receive nutritious meals and snacks daily. This handout outlines highlights of CACFP nutrition standards, why to participate, and if your center qualifies.

Full citation: Puhl RM, Himmelstein MS. Adolescent preferences for weight terminology used by health care providers. Pediatr Obes. 2018;13(9):533-540. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijpo.12275

Full citation: Bragg MA, Miller AN, Roberto CA, et al. Sports Sponsorships of Food and Nonalcoholic Beverages. Pediatrics. 2018;141(4):e20172822. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2017-2822

Full citation: Soo J, Harris JL, Davison KK, Williams DR, Roberto CA. Changes in the nutritional quality of fast-food items marketed at restaurants, 2010 v. 2013. Public Health Nutr. 2018;21(11):2117-2127. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980018000629