Experienced weight stigma in higher education: impact on academic choices, extracurricular participation, and well-being in students.

Abstract

Objective: Weight stigma is present in employment, health care, and education institutions and can have detrimental consequences. This study, guided by the Health at Every Size^® (HAES^®) framework, examined the influence of weight stigma on college students' academic choices, extracurricular participation, overall well-being, and their university experience. Participants and Methods: Undergraduate and graduate students (N = 875) responded to a comprehensive online survey, including a 14 item University Environment Scale (UES). Results: Results revealed a small but significant effect on academic major choice for some students and a substantial impact on participation in extracurricular activities, particularly for students in larger bodies. Additionally, experienced weight stigma was significantly correlated with decreased self-esteem, decreased comfort in the body, and a less favorable university experience for students. Conclusions: There is a need for interventions to address weight stigma on college campuses to improve the overall experiences of students while emphasizing the importance of diverse body representation in both academic and extracurricular settings.