Discrimination against overweight people - particularly women - is as common as racial discrimination, according to a study by the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at Yale University.
“These results show the need to treat weight discrimination as a legitimate form of prejudice, comparable to other characteristics like race or gender that already receive legal protection,” said Rebecca Puhl, research scientist and lead author.

The study documented the prevalence of self-reported weight discrimination and compared it to experiences of discrimination based on race and gender among a nationally representative sample of adults aged 25- to 74-years-old. The data was obtained from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States.

The study also revealed that women are twice as likely as men to report weight discrimination and that weight discrimination in the workplace and interpersonal mistreatment due to obesity is common.

The researchers found that men are not at serious risk for weight bias until their body mass index (BMI) reaches 35 or higher, while women begin experiencing a notable increase in weight discrimination risk at a BMI level of 27. BMI is the measure of body fat based on height and weight.

Co-author Tatiana Andreyava of Yale said weight discrimination is more prevalent than discrimination based on sexual orientation, nationality/ethnicity, physical disability, and religious beliefs. “However, despite its high prevalence, it continues to remain socially acceptable,” she said.

A REVELLER who chewed off part of a man’s ear after he called her fat has been given two years probation.

Anna Martin met Nicholas Dott, 20, in Glasgow’s Kushion nightclub and went to a nearby hotel to spend the night, but she decided to leave minutes after entering the room.

An argument broke out and Mr Dott made a jibe about the 27-year-old’s weight. She suddenly lunged forward and sank her teeth into his ear, leaving him badly disfigured and needing plastic surgery.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court Adele MacDonald, prosecuting, said Mr Dott “struck up a conversation” with Martin, whom he didn’t know, and they spent the evening in the Bath Street club together last June.

They later left to spend the night at the Premier Travel Inn at nearby Charing Cross.

Mr Dott paid for the £55 room and went upstairs.

The court heard that soon after entering Martin, of Buchanan Drive, Bearsden, “for an unknown reason became frantic” and left. Mr Dott followed her downstairs to calm her, but Martin asked hotel staff to call a taxi. Mr Dott tried to persuade her to stay but, when she refused, a row started.

Miss MacDonald said: “During the argument, he said she was fat.

“She lashed out, striking him on the head with her hands and handbag.

“A receptionist moved forward to separate the accused from Mr Dott.

“While being separated, Martin lunged forward and bit him on the left ear. This caused a piece of flesh to sever and fall to the floor.”

Mr Dott was rushed to hospital and the severed part of his ear was reattached. However, the court heard that it later became detached again and he now needs surgery.

Martin was later traced by police as the brutal assault was captured on CCTV. She told officers that she had “very limited memory” of what happened, but had some recollection of biting Mr Dott’s ear.

At an earlier hearing, Martin admitted to the attack and will serve two years probation.

DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!