How are overweight and obese people portrayed on television, in magazines, and other media outlets?
Unfortunately, overweight and obese characters in television and film are often portrayed negatively in ways that promote stereotypes and perpetuate stigma. Studies show that overweight and obese characters are typically found in minor roles, less likely to be involved in friendships and have fewer romantic relationships than thinner characters. They are also more likely to be engaging in stereotypical behaviors, such as binge-eating or eating junk food. In addition, larger female characters are more often the objects of humor and receive more negative comments than thinner characters. For more information about the research on this topic, please consult the following articles: Greenberg et al., Portrayals of Overweight and Obese Individuals on Commercial Television. Am J of Public Health. 2003; 93:1342-1348. Himes, S.M., & Thompson, J.K. Fat Stigmatization in Television Shows and Movies: A Content Analysis. Obesity, 2007 15: 712-718. For more information about the portrayal of overwei
