Subtle increases in BMI within a healthy weight range still reduce women's employment chances in the service sector

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Nickson, Dennis and Timming, Andrew R and Re, Daniel and Perrett, David I (2016) Subtle increases in BMI within a healthy weight range still reduce women's employment chances in the service sector. PLoS ONE, 11 (9). e0159659. ISSN 1932-6203 (https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0159659)

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Abstract

Using mixed design analysis of variance (ANOVA), this paper investigates the effects of a subtle simulated increase in adiposity on women’s employment chances in the service sector. Employing a unique simulation of altering individuals’ BMIs and the literature on “aesthetic labour”, the study suggests that, especially for women, being heavier, but still within a healthy BMI, deleteriously impacts on hireability ratings. The paper explores the gendered dimension of this prejudice by asking whether female employees at the upper end of a healthy BMI range are likely to be viewed more negatively than their overtly overweight male counterparts. The paper concludes by considering the implications of these findings.

ORCID iDs

Nickson, Dennis ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3328-0729, Timming, Andrew R, Re, Daniel and Perrett, David I;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)