title: Obesity and discrimination - a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Research on obesity has shown that stigma often accompanies obesity and impacts many life domains. No previous research has systematically reviewed published literature about the prevalence and the nature of perceived weight discrimination in individuals with obesity. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to fill that gap.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic literature search was conducted without time limits using the databases Medline, ISI Web of Knowledge and the Cochrane Library. Meta-analyses were performed using random effect models. Observational studies pertaining to (i) prevalence estimates and (ii) forms of perceived weight discrimination among individuals with obesity were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 4393 citations retrieved, nine citations retrieved, nine studies met inclusion criteria. Pooled prevalence was 19.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) 11.7 to 29.8%) for individuals with class I obesity (Body mass index [BMI] = 30-35 kg m(-2) ) and 41.8% (95% CI 36.9 to 46.9%) for individuals with more extreme obesity (BMI > 35 kg m(-2) ). Findings from nationally representative US samples revealed higher prevalence estimates in individuals with higher BMI values (BMI > 35 kg m(-2) ) and in women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results provide evidence that perceptions of weight discrimination by individuals with obesity were common, and its negative consequences are highly relevant issues within society and need to be the focus of potential interventions. © 2015 World Obesity.
authors.affiliation: Leipzig University Medical Center, IFB AdiposityDiseases, Leipzig, Germany.|Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Spahlholz
authors.affiliation: Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Baer
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: H-H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: König
authors.affiliation: Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Riedel-Heller
authors.affiliation: Leipzig University Medical Center, IFB AdiposityDiseases, Leipzig, Germany.|Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Luck-Sikorski
mesh_terms: D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D064887:Observational Studies as Topic; D012649:Self Concept; D057545:Social Stigma
keywords: discrimination; obesity; stigma; systematic review