"Fat Shaming" And Discrimination

Imagine this scenario. You're a hard worker who's been with an employer for a long time. But year after year, you never get promoted. Eventually, for other reasons, you decide to change your life... part of which includes losing a lot of weight. A few months later, you suddenly get that promotion. Which feels great. But it also makes you wonder...was I passed over all those years because of my weight?

It's not an unusual situation. In fact, complaints of bias against overweight and obese workers are increasing. For years, the Massachusetts state legislature has considered a bill that would include weight in the state's anti-discrimination laws. But for the past 15 years, that bill has gone no where.

Until last month, when the bill sailed out of committee. It could come up for a full vote later this year. The sudden turnaround is spurred by many things, not the least of which is the fact that 70 percent of Americans are considered overweight.

Science is also changing its view on obesity. American society... perhaps not so much. What role should the law play here? Obesity is the next chapter in the evolution of anti-discrimination laws, and it's an especially controversial and complicated one....because much of the debate comes down to the question of choice — can you choose to lose weight, and keep it off? Or do deeper biochemical factors determine your weight?

Carey Goldberg, co-host of WBUR’s CommonHealth blog. You can find her piece here.

Rebecca Puhl, deputy director at the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at Yale University.

Jay Barrows, represents the 1st Bristol District.