Obesity is associated with lower wages, especially for women



Researchers at George Washington University tried to quantify the economic impact of obesity on men and women. They found that obesity is associated with almost twice the cost for women as compared to men. As well, 38 percent of this cost for women came from lower wages, while the incomes of obese men barely suffered. "This [gender] disparity around wages represents the stigmatization and discrimination against obese individuals, and particularly Caucasian females," said William Dietz of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "This stigmatization is pervasive and longstanding." The study also showed that incremental increases in weight were linked to increases in personal cost. So every extra pound cost study participants more. Still, it’s not clear what comes first: obesity or the low-paying jobs.