Overweight people ‘face taunts and ridicule’

As we face into the first full week of 2015, and with many already struggling with our new year’s resolutions to get fit, a study has revealed the most frequent humiliations faced by overweight people.

Being insulted by shop assistants, ignored by bar staff, mocked by passers-by, ridiculed by the opposite sex, and photographed by teenagers are part of the frequent taunts overweight people face, according to research in Britain.

Up to 40% of the 2,573 slimmers questioned in the Slimming World study said they faced judgment, criticism, or humiliation at least once a week.

It included people winding down car windows to shout abuse, passengers refusing to share a seat on public transport, men in nightclubs feigning romantic interest, and teenagers taking pictures or videos on their phones.

Even being a paying customer did not stop comments on food choices from supermarket staff, laughter from shop assistants when asked for clothes in a bigger size, and feeling humiliated as bar staff serving slimmer customers first.

However, weight discrimination does not motivate people to lose weight, the study found.