"I Would Rather Sit at Home and Suffer in Silence": Perceptions, Experiences and Impacts of Weight Stigma Among Low-Income Black Women in Missouri

Background: Black women face unique challenges related to weight stigma due to the intersection of race, gender, and societal pressures. While much research has focused on weight stigma broadly, limited studies explore the experiences of Black women. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions, lived experiences and impacts of weight stigma on the wellbeing of Black women in Missouri.

Methods: A qualitative study with a grounded theory approach was used delve into the perception, lived experiences, and impacts of weight stigma among Black women selected through purposive and snowball sampling. We conducted in-depth interviews with 21 medically “obese”, low-income, Black women over the age of 35 who lived in Missouri, U.S. Interviews conducted via Zoom and phone, were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and double-coded using Nvivo14. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis to identify key themes.

Results: Thematic analysis revealed that participants conceptualized and defined weight stigma as both external and internalized weight stigma. They shared feelings of being trapped, highlighting the circular effects of stigma and its impact on body image and self-perception. Participants also emphasized accepting self, but not being overweight, demonstrating participants' ability to differentiate between body weight and self-worth. Participants described weight stigma as both external and internal experiences, leading to dissatisfaction with their bodies but also rationalizing their size and shape based on life circumstances, such as aging, maternity, and health factors. The findings showed family, school, and workplace environments as primary sites of stigma; and participants used avoidance and withdrawal as coping strategies to mitigate the psychological effects of weight stigma. Perceived weight stigma affected four dimensions of wellbeing: physical, emotional, social and vocational wellbeing of Black women. Contrary to the notion of racial and cultural immunity to weight stigma among Black women, the study participants experienced poor body image, the pressure of covering their bodies, disordered eating, weight-related stress, body shaming, and social isolation across family, work, and social settings. Most importantly, the findings demonstrated the intersectional impact of racial identity across the four dimensions of wellbeing. The three coping mechanisms applied by Black women (absorbing, fighting back, and ignoring) were personal in nature.

Conclusion: The study reveals the pervasive impact of weight stigma on Black women across family, education, work, and healthcare settings—spaces meant to offer support but often reinforce harm. These findings highlight the need for community-driven, culturally sensitive interventions that address the intersection of race, gender, and body size. Rather than relying on simplistic narratives, efforts must challenge societal norms and empower Black women to resist both internalized and external stigma. Addressing weight stigma should begin within families and extend to schools, workplaces, and healthcare systems. Racial identity profoundly shaped participants’ experiences and wellbeing, highlighting the importance of intersectionality in both research and practice. More studies are needed to amplify Black women’s voices and guide policies that reduce stigma while promoting mental health, inclusion, and equitable care. Additionally, future research should explore the diminishing cultural and racial buffers against weight stigma within Black communities.