A study led by Associate Professor Mary Gerend, Ph.D., with student collaborators Anna Lu, M.D., and Elizabeth Teets, M.D., addresses research gaps in examining how weight stigma affects mental health and whether those effects differ by race, ethnicity, or coping strategies.

The research team surveyed more than 2,600 U.S. adults, most of whom identified as Black or Latino. Participants who experienced or internalized weight stigma reported poorer mental health and higher levels of depression. Notably, the impact of weight stigma was consistent across all racial and ethnic groups, indicating that no population is shielded from its negative effects.

The findings point to the importance of reducing weight stigma and promoting healthy coping tools to support psychological well-being in all communities.