Words matter: How fat-shaming leads to people hating their own bodies

Experiencing negative stereotypes about being overweight leads people to internalise that negativity and believe it, which then leads to developing a sense of shame about their own body, according to Australian research. The study also found that when people experienced weight stigma they became less kind to themselves and were more likely to develop feelings of loneliness and psychological distress. The study suggests that both internalising stigma and self-compassion play a role in determining the impact body shaming has on overweight and obese individuals.