title: Potential Policies and Laws to Prohibit Weight Discrimination: Public Views from 4 Countries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  People viewed as "overweight" or "obese" are vulnerable to weight-based discrimination, creating inequities and adverse health outcomes. Given the high rates of obesity recorded globally, studies documenting weight discrimination in multiple countries, and an absence of legislation to address this form of discrimination, research examining policy remedies across different countries is needed. Our study provides the first multinational examination of public support for policies and legislation to prohibit weight discrimination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Identical online surveys were completed by 2,866 adults in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Iceland. We assessed public support for potential laws to prohibit weight-based discrimination, such as adding body weight to existing civil rights statutes, extending disability protections to persons with obesity, and instituting legal measures to prohibit employers from discriminating against employees because of body weight. We examined sociodemographic and weight-related characteristics predicting support for antidiscrimination policies, and the differences in these patterns across countries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of participants in the United States, Canada, and Australia agreed that their government should have specific laws in place to prohibit weight discrimination. At least two-thirds of the participants in all 4 countries expressed support for policies that would make it illegal for employers to refuse to hire, assign lower wages, deny promotions, or terminate qualified employees because of body weight. Women and participants with higher body weight expressed more support for antidiscrimination measures. Beliefs about the causes of obesity were also related to support for these laws.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Public support for legal measures to prohibit weight discrimination can be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Iceland, especially for laws to remedy this discrimination in employment. Our findings provide important information for policymakers and interest groups both nationally and internationally and can help guide discussions about policy priorities to reduce inequities resulting from weight discrimination.
authors.affiliation: Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity, University of Connecticut.
authors.forename: Rebecca M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Puhl
authors.affiliation: University of Hawaii at Manoa.
authors.forename: Janet D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Latner
authors.affiliation: Monash University, Melbourne.
authors.forename: Kerry S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.affiliation: StataCorp.
authors.forename: Joerg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Luedicke
authors.affiliation: Directorate of Health, Iceland.
authors.forename: Sigrun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Danielsdottir
authors.affiliation: Canadian Obesity Network.
authors.forename: Ximena Ramos
authors.initials: XR
authors.lastname: Salas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001835:Body Weight; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D004651:Employment / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011287:Prejudice; D011639:Public Opinion; D063508:Social Discrimination / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: culture; discrimination; legislation; obesity