Rudd Sound Bites

Youth Weight Stigma, In Print

By Rebecca Puhl

Last month, a story appeared in the headlines about a 15-year-old student who was a target of weight-based victimization by her peers at school. The student, Marie Gray, who is a freshman honor roll student (and also happens to be obese) opened her high school year book to find that derogatory remarks (e.g., “fat-ass”) had been printed under her name, a prank that had not been caught by teachers prior to the yearbooks being printed and distributed.

While the experience of weight-based teasing is extremely common for most overweight or obese adolescents, this story provides a clear example of the kinds of torment that students face because of their weight, and the potentially lasting impact of such negative peer cruelty and hurtful remarks.

Unfortunately, teasing and bullying are expanding in new ways in today’s high-tech world, providing even more outlets for students to be targeted and humiliated. No longer is bullying and teasing limited to fights in the school yard or taunts on the school bus. Now, students face cyber-bullying, false rumors being spread about them through online social media networks, derogatory text messages on cell phones, and even negative photos posted on the internet. The sky is the limit for ways to humiliate and victimize peers.

Target Their Confidence

by Rebecca Puhl

A few weeks ago, several companies, including Target and Forever 21, announced their decision to launch plus-size clothing lines for teen girls. When so many girls struggle with negative body image, it’s nice to know that those who are also struggling with their weight will now have some additional options of finding clothes that feel good and look good for diverse body types.

One Seat for the Price of Two

by Rebecca Puhl

It was hard to miss the headlines this week announcing United Airlines’ new seating policy, which will charge obese passengers for a second extra seat (at the full cost) if they don’t meet the airline’s new criteria, such as being unable to put the seat’s armrests down when seated.

Stigma Goes All the Way to the Grave

by Rebecca Puhl

I was dismayed to read a recent news story from Britain, where a decision has been made to charge higher fees to bury obese persons after they die because they take up more space in a cemetery. Families of deceased obese individuals will be charged £194 compared to the £129 fee for non-overweight individuals.

Celebrity Weight Matters

by Rebecca Puhl

I typically don’t blog about specific celebrities or pop culture gossip, but I’ve been dismayed with the recent media attention criticizing Jessica Simpson’s body weight. Countless websites and blogs are posting negative, derogatory comments about Ms. Simpson due to an apparent modest weight gain. It is appalling that this is making headlines and is actually news-worthy, and that Ms. Simpson is now being described as “fat” and “porky” among other derogatory comparisons. Even mainstream news sources are printing this story. Are there not more important things to be talking about?

Rudd Center Releases Videos on Weight Bias

by Rebecca Puhl

At the Rudd Center we often get contacted by people (like teachers, parents, health professionals, researchers) across North America who want to learn more about weight bias and what steps they can take to inform and educate others about this problem. Frequently, we’re asked if there are any educational videos that exist on weight bias that can be used to increase public awareness. While a few videos have surfaced over the past decade, most are outdated and difficult to obtain. So, in response to the many requests that we’ve received, and in line with our mission to bring attention to (and ultimately eliminate!) this pervasive prejudice, the Rudd Center has created, and recently released, two new educational videos on weight bias. Both are available for free download on our homepage and on YouTube. Both videos are hosted by celebrity and activist Emme and feature Rudd Center faculty, and use expert commentary and dramatic representation to address the obstacles that overweight and obese individuals encounter with weight bias.

Changing Health Care Standards

by Rebecca Puhl

Examples of weight bias are frequently surfacing in the media these days. There are stories of overweight employees being fired from their jobs because of their weight, cases of obese parents being denied the right to adopt a child because of their size, and emerging policies where employers are charging obese employees higher insurance premiums because of their weight.

A Small but Significant Victory

by Rebecca Puhl

The city council of Binghamton, New York passed a law this week that will prohibit discrimination on the basis of weight or height. The Binghamton Human Rights Law specifically makes it illegal to discriminate in employment, housing, education or public accommodations. This is a significant victory, and sends the important message that all people, regardless of size, deserve these fundamental human rights. 

“Frisked for Chocolate and Fizzy Drinks”

by Rebecca Puhl

Efforts to reduce weight stigma appear to be needed in the UK as much as they are here in North America. Last week, health expert and Chairman of the Child Growth Foundation Tam Fry from the National Obesity Forum in the UK announced his idea that obese children should be removed from their families and placed into care, and that “those whose health is at risk should then undergo stomach-stapling operations.” Mr. Fry’s proposal that obesity should be treated as a form of abuse was presented at the National Obesity Forum’s annual conference last week. The National Obesity Forum is an independent charity, working to improve the prevention and management of obesity.

Respect for (Almost) All

by Rebecca Puhl

Mayor Bloomberg recently announced a new policy to reduce bias-based bullying in NYC public schools. The new regulation, which builds on the City's "Respect for All" initiative, will target bullying based on ethnicity, gender, national origin, sexual orientation and disability. Under the new policy, schools will be required to designate staff to help track incidents of bullying, and file complaints to the Department of Education within 24 hours.