‘Fat’, Female and Unprivileged: Exploring Intersectionality, Perceiver Characteristics, and Eye Movements

The aim of this research was to examine the role of body self-esteem, Body Mass Index (BMI), and the tendency toward social desirability as predictors of anti-fat stereotypes and prejudices, and gender, ‘fat’ status, and social status as moderators of this relationship, as well as eye movements of subjects when observing ‘fat’ individuals. Three studies examined the research aims. In the first study (N = 311; 60.8% female), body self-esteem, self-reported BMI, and social desirability were assessed as predictors of anti-fat stereotypes and prejudice, with ‘fat’ status as a moderating variable. The second study (N = 311; 60.8% female) replicated this approach, adding perceived social status as a moderator. The third study (N = 191; 61.5% female) assessed body self-esteem and collected precise body-related measurements (weight, body fat, visceral fat, muscle percentage, metabolism, and BMI) using the OMRON body composition monitor. Additionally, it measured anti-fat stereotypes, prejudice, and eye movements in response to ‘fat’ and ‘non-fat’ stimuli. The results of the first study suggest that body self-esteem, BMI, and the tendency toward social desirability can predict anti-fat stereotypes and prejudices. ‘Fat’ women were evaluated most negatively. The second study indicates that the social status of stimulus individuals is also a significant moderator of the relationships described above. ‘Fat’ women of low social status are evaluated most negatively. In the third study, we obtained information on the following eye movement parameters: (1) First view, (2) Duration of fixations, (3) Fixations and (4) Revisits. Eye movement parameters can be predicted by body self-esteem and body condition parameters, while gender and ‘fat’ status of stimuli are significant moderators in this relationship. The study explains the role of BMI and body self-esteem in anti-fat bias, highlights the importance of gender and social status in perceiving ‘fat’ individuals, as well as the importance of considering nuanced body composition measures, such as visceral fat and muscle percentage, in understanding individual differences in perceptual bias. Differences in viewing patterns between genders underscore the interplay of stereotypes.