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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Florida Marlins are looking for some footloose fat men.

Tryouts are being held for an all-male, plus-sized cheerleading squad to be dubbed the Manatees.

The team hopes to recruit seven to 10 men of epic proportions to dance, cheer and of course jiggle, during Friday and Saturday home games this season.

Real manatees are best known for their large dimensions and inability to move out of the way of boat propellers.

The Marlins want their Manatees to have the same dimensions, but be decidedly more agile. Men will be judged on how well they dance a choreographed routine.

Men who are selected won’t be paid. They’ll get tickets to games they perform at, and the honor of dancing in front of crowds.

Think you have what it takes to be a plus-size model?

Then Shirley of Hollywood wants to meet you. The 60-year-old lingerie company (formerly known as the National Corset Co.), which makes lingerie for all sizes of women, is having a contest to find models for the company’s 2009 catalog. Once all the nominations are in, the company is going to let America decide who among the top 10 wins with online voting.

They’re looking for models who are 5 feet, 8 inches or taller and are a size 14-16.

All candidates for the contest must be sponsored by a retailer.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO ENTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The plus size cutie from the summer hit movie Hairspray is starring in a new Lifetime movie.

In her latest movie, Nikki Blonsky plays an overweight high school student spurned for being different from her peers. Ultimately, she finds acceptance, glory and the hint of romance with a dimple-cheeked guy, all without surrendering pride to the body-image police.

“Queen Sized,” premiering on Lifetime Saturday January 12th at 9 p.m.