A New Stigmatized Identity? Comparisons of a “Food Addict” Label With Other Stigmatized Health Conditions

Abstract

This research assessed public perceptions of a “food addict” label in comparison to stigmatized conditions including obesity, addiction, and disability. Study 1 found this label was perceived similarly to obesity, but more favorably than other addictions, and had an exacerbating effect on weight stigma. Study 2 experimentally replicated the latter effect but demonstrated no weight-related effects for the food addict label. This evidence suggests that food addiction may be less vulnerable to public stigma than other addictions but may increase the stigma associated with obesity. Food addiction as a stigmatized identity is discussed.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was supported by a grant from the Rudd Foundation.

Notes

Note. BMI = body mass index.

Note. All models include additional variables (age, education, income, political affiliation, and weight stigma experience). Dependent variables are z-standardized mean scales. Reference categories are Caucasian for race/ethnicity, and normal weight (body mass index [BMI] = 18.5–24.9) for weight status; ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions, separate models were fitted for each label.

^† p < .1. *p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001.