TITLE:
Weight Stigma and Psychosocial Development in Children and Adolescents with Obesity: A Global Perspective on Mechanisms, Interventions, and Public Health Implications
AUTHORS:
Ruiqi Huo
KEYWORDS:
Weight Stigma, Childhood Obesity, Adolescent Development, Psychosocial Development, Internalized Weight Bias, Mental Health, Public Health, China
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.14 No.5,
May
29,
2026
ABSTRACT: Weight stigma—devaluation based on body size—pervasively threatens the psychosocial development of youth with obesity globally. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on its manifestations, prevalence, consequences, mechanisms, and interventions. Worldwide, 40% - 75% of adolescents with obesity experience weight-related stigma across interpersonal, institutional, self-directed, and digital domains, with rising rates in China. Stigma predicts depression, anxiety, eating disorders, social withdrawal, and cognitive impairment, mediated by psychosocial (stereotype threat, social rejection), developmental, and biopsychological (HPA axis dysregulation) pathways. Evidence-based interventions span individual, family, school, community, and policy levels. However, major gaps include Western-centric research and insufficient longitudinal data from China. Future research must prioritize cross-cultural longitudinal designs and participatory approaches. Addressing weight stigma is a public health imperative requiring coordinated action to protect millions of children worldwide.