Gender Bias in Obesity

Apr 8

Exploring the Gender Bias in Obesity: How Society’s Expectations Impact Health

Obesity is a complex health condition that affects millions of people worldwide, leading to numerous health complications such as diabetes, heart disease, and joint problems. Yet, despite its widespread impact, obesity is often viewed through a lens of gender bias, with women and men experiencing different social, medical, and cultural pressures related to body weight.

According to the CDC, in 2022, 34.1% of females in the US compared to 32.1% of males were diagnosed with obesity. Females with obesity have 31% higher health costs than males. There is a disproportionate number of females struggling with obesity compared to male counterparts and this is due to multiple contributing factors which we will discuss.

While both genders can struggle with obesity, women often face unique challenges that can exacerbate the physical, psychological, and social impacts of the condition. From societal beauty standards to medical misunderstandings, the gendered experiences of obesity deserve closer attention. Let’s explore how gender bias plays a role in obesity, and what can be done to address this inequality.

1. Societal Expectations: The Double Standard

One of the most obvious forms of gender bias in obesity is the way society holds different expectations for men and women when it comes to body image.

For decades, the media has portrayed women’s bodies as slender, toned, and youthful—often idealizing a body type that is unattainable for many without significant effort, money, or genetic predisposition. As a result, overweight women are often subjected to more intense social stigma than their male counterparts. Studies have shown that women with obesity are more likely to experience weight-based discrimination in both personal and professional settings. This may include being judged for their appearance, passed over for promotions, or facing ridicule in social situations.

In contrast, men—while still facing societal pressures to maintain a lean physique—are often given more leeway in their body shape. Men may be less likely to face the same degree of public scrutiny for being overweight, and there’s often less emphasis on achieving a certain look to be considered “worthy” or “desirable.”

This double standard can lead to psychological distress, especially for women. The intense scrutiny of their bodies may contribute to higher rates of body dissatisfaction, anxiety, and depression. In many cases, women internalize society’s standards and may be more prone to disordered eating or extreme dieting as they try to conform to an unrealistic ideal.

2. The Medical Gender Gap: Treatment and Diagnosis

Gender bias also manifests in the medical treatment of obesity. Medical professionals, despite their best intentions, can harbor unconscious biases that influence how they treat patients based on gender, body size, and weight.

For women, these biases can be especially problematic. Research suggests that women with obesity are often viewed as less disciplined or responsible for their condition than men, with some doctors attributing their weight gain to factors like poor willpower, lack of self-control, or emotional eating—while men are often seen as more prone to physical causes, such as hormonal imbalances or genetics.

Additionally, women with obesity are less likely to receive accurate treatment for weight-related health issues. Many doctors are quick to recommend weight loss without considering other factors, such as mental health challenges, hormonal imbalances, or underlying medical conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that disproportionately affect women.

On the other hand, men are often given more diverse treatment options, and their obesity is less likely to be immediately associated with personal shortcomings. They may be more likely to receive a range of medical interventions or prescriptions, including bariatric surgery or medications, whereas women are sometimes advised to simply “try harder” or “eat less.”

This lack of gender-specific care can create a cycle of frustration for women who feel that their health concerns are not taken seriously, leading to further alienation from medical care and a worsening of their condition.

3. Hormonal Differences and the Impact on Weight

Obesity is often seen through a universal lens, but the hormonal and biological differences between men and women play a significant role in weight management. For women, weight gain can be influenced by factors like pregnancy, menopause, and PCOS, which can make weight loss particularly challenging.

Pregnancy: Women often gain weight during pregnancy, and some may find it difficult to lose the weight after childbirth due to hormonal fluctuations. Social pressure to “bounce back” quickly can lead to feelings of failure or shame.
Menopause: As women approach menopause, changes in hormones (especially estrogen) can lead to increased abdominal fat and slower metabolism. Despite these biological changes, society often continues to judge women for weight gain without understanding the underlying causes.
PCOS: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects many women and is closely linked to obesity. PCOS can cause insulin resistance, making it difficult for women to lose weight. However, women with PCOS may face increased scrutiny, with weight gain being seen as a personal failing rather than a medical condition.

While men also face weight-related challenges, they are less likely to experience these complex hormonal changes that impact weight gain and loss.

4. Mental Health and Emotional Impact of Weight Bias

The emotional toll of obesity is often more profound for women, largely due to societal expectations and gendered weight bias. Women are not only judged by their weight but also by their perceived ability to control it. The pervasive “diet culture”—which glorifies thinness and demonizes obesity—can take a severe toll on self-esteem and body image.

Internalized Stigma: Women who face weight bias may internalize this negative stigma, leading to feelings of shame and self-hatred. This can contribute to depression, anxiety, and even eating disorders. The societal pressure to constantly look a certain way can make it even harder for women to take care of their health in a balanced way.
Social Exclusion: Women with obesity may feel excluded or judged in social settings, which can make them more reluctant to engage in physical activity or seek help for health concerns. This isolation can worsen both mental and physical health.

5. Challenging Gender Bias in Obesity: What Needs to Change?

Addressing gender bias in obesity requires a multi-faceted approach:

Awareness and Education: We need to raise awareness about how gender biases shape our perceptions of obesity and health. By educating the public—especially healthcare professionals—about the unique challenges women face, we can create more inclusive and supportive environments for both genders.
Gender-Specific Care: Medical professionals must recognize the biological and hormonal differences that affect weight management in women and offer personalized care that addresses these factors, rather than resorting to generic advice about diet and exercise.
Shifting Societal Expectations: Society needs to move away from the narrow, unrealistic standards of beauty and embrace diversity in body shapes and sizes. Women—and men—should be encouraged to focus on health rather than aesthetic ideals.
Mental Health Support: Reducing the stigma associated with obesity is essential. Encouraging open, non-judgmental conversations about weight and providing mental health resources can help reduce the emotional burden of weight bias.

Conclusion: Moving Toward a More Inclusive Understanding of Obesity

Gender bias in obesity is a significant barrier to achieving better health outcomes for both men and women. However, when we start to recognize and challenge these biases—whether in the media, the medical community, or our everyday interactions—we can begin to dismantle the harmful stereotypes and stigmas that surround obesity.

By embracing a more nuanced understanding of obesity that takes gender differences, biological factors, and social pressures into account, we can work toward a future where everyone has the support they need to achieve their healthiest self—without judgment, shame, or discrimination.