How The Media Portrays Overweight People Negatively

Numerous surveys have demonstrated that the American public is affected by bias against people who are overweight and obese. Another study found that as patients' weight increased, physicians reported having less patience, less faith in patients' ability to comply with treatment, and less desire to help them. Other studies have added to the evidence that bias against patients who are obese is common in health care settings. Weight bias is omnipresent in the news papers, whereas the obese people are symbolizes for, being lazy and making poor choices. In some of studies like Rudd center Studies showed that stories about obesity are often stigmatizing and portray obese persons in negative, unflattering, and stereotypical ways (yaleruddcenter, 2012).

These prejudices are somewhat peculiar, given the fact that the majority of Americans are themselves overweight or obese. Pejorative connotations are ascribed to obese folks “out there,” not oneself.

This prejudice may be partly due to how the media portray people who are obese. Greenberg et al. reported on their findings of television actors' BMI after analyzing 5 episodes of the top 10 prime time shows. In comparing television actors' BMI to that of the American public, they found that only 25 percent of men on television were overweight or obese, compared to almost 60 percent of American men (Greenberg , pp. 1342-1348). The statistics are even more staggering for women. Almost 90 percent of women on TV were at or below normal weight, compared to only 50 percent of American women.

Popular television shows that include people who are obese portray them either as comedic, lonely characters, or freaks. On The Drew Carey Show, the main character often joked about and expressed disappointment about his weight; his main “nemesis,” Mimi, was portrayed as being unattractive partially because of her weight (though also for reasons having to do with her personality and fashion choices). Ugly Betty focuses on an overweight young woman who, although she is comfortable with her weight, is often mocked for her size and awkwardness. On Chuck, Fernando is not only a nerd, but also a “fat nerd” who has little, if any, real character development. And who can forget Roseanne, who was loud, obnoxious, and slovenly? Rarely if ever are they romantic leads, successful lawyers or doctors, or action stars. Flip through the numerous reality shows on television where women are battling for a modeling contract. There is often considerable negative discussion about the one or two contestants who have “extra weight” and are therefore lacking what is perceived as a model's body, and only one plus-size model has won any such contest. Keep in mind that the average American adult is overweight or obese, so the person at normal weight is actually in the minority. There are many successful people who are overweight and obese in today's society, but that is not reflected in popular entertainment.

It is hard to discuss media portrayal of people who are overweight without mentioning The Biggest Loser, a highly successful television program and publishing ...