Research suggests that experiencing discrimination raises the risk of obesity

A new study published this week reveals that experiencing discrimination can have negative effects on health, including obesity. According to the study, discrimination stimulates the appetite and increases cravings for unhealthy foods. This stress-induced weight gain can lead to various health issues.

The research, published in Nature Mental Health, involved over 100 participants who answered a questionnaire about the discrimination they faced in their daily lives. These participants were then shown images of different foods, such as ice cream, fruits, and salads, while undergoing brain scans.

The study found that individuals who experienced high levels of discrimination had a stronger response in the reward processing part of their brain, responsible for motivation, when exposed to unhealthy, high-calorie foods.

While the exact cause of this reaction remains unclear, researchers noted that discrimination affects the communication between the brain and gut. The individuals who faced higher levels of discrimination also had higher levels of certain compounds that can cause inflammation and oxidative stress, potentially damaging cells and DNA.

Arpana Gupta, an associate professor-in-residence of medicine at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and senior author of the study, commented on the phenomenon, stating, “When you’re feeling sad and you’re feeling upset, what do you see on TV? That girl going to grab that tub of ice cream. It’s interesting that when we’re stressed, we crave these foods. We go for these foods for comfort. What our study was able to do was show this at the brain level, as well as the gut level.”

Although the study does not delve into specific racial or ethnic breakdowns, it acknowledges that minorities have disproportionately higher rates of obesity and obesity-related health issues. The National Black Leadership Commission on Health reports that nearly 50 percent of Black Americans are obese, with Black women being the most affected group.

Obesity can lead to various other health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and cancer.

However, Gupta suggests that there may be solutions, such as adopting a healthier diet, that can help combat the negative effects of discrimination. “I don’t think that discrimination is going to go away,” Gupta said. “I don’t think it’s going to go away in my lifetime. I don’t think it’s going to go away in my kid’s lifetime. So, what we need to do in the interim is do other things that can help us cope better with discrimination.”