An obesity expert says mocking the overweight 'should be illegal ' . Stock photo . Poking fun at fat people should be treated as seriously as racism and sexism , researchers have said . Obesity expert Dr Sarah Jackson said that the law should protect against weight discrimination , in the same way at it prohibits singling out people based on their age , gender or race . Dr Jackson , of University College London , spoke out after conducting two studies into the physical and psychological effects of fattism . Her latest study , of more than 5,000 British adults found that those who were made to feel ashamed of their size suffered more symptoms of depression . They also had a lower quality of life than those who didn ’ t feel victimised . Examples of fattism included being treated disrespectfully , including being the butt of jokes , receiving poorer services in shops , restaurants , hospitals and doctors ’ surgeries , being threatened and being assumed to be stupid . She previously showed shaming fat people into losing weight is counterproductive . Far from shocking people into slimming , it actually leads to them piling on the pounds . It is thought fattism drives those who are already sensitive about their weight to comfort eat . Fear of ridicule may also mean they avoid exercise . With two-thirds of British women overweight or obese , jibes , taunts and simple thoughtlessness could be having a huge effect on the nation ’ s mental and psychological health . Dr Sarah Jackson , the lead author of both studies , said that people may believe that weight discrimination is socially acceptable because unlike ageism , sexism and racism , it is not covered by law . She said : ‘ In the United Kingdom , the Equality Act 2010 legally protects individuals from discrimination on the basis of age , sex , race , disability , religion or beliefs , sexual orientation , marital status , pregnancy , or gender reassignment ; making it clear that discriminatory behaviour of this nature is not to be accepted . ‘ However , our results indicate that discriminatory experiences contribute to poorer psychological wellbeing in individuals with obesity , but there are currently no laws prohibiting weight discrimination . ‘ This might send the message to people that weight discrimination is socially acceptable . Dr Sarah Jackson said that the law should protect against weight discrimination , in the same way at it prohibits singling out people based on their age , gender or race . Stock photo . ‘ If weight was a protected category it might help to reduce the prevalence of weight-related discrimination and thereby improve quality of life and wellbeing for a significant proportion of obese individuals. ’ Researcher Professor Jane Wardle said : ‘ Combined with our previous work showing that weight discrimination does not encourage weight loss , we can see that weight discrimination is part of the obesity problem and not the solution . ‘ Weight bias has been documented not only among the general public but also among health professionals ; and many obese patients report being treated disrespectfully by doctors because of their weight . ‘ Everyone , including doctors , should stop blaming and shaming people for their weight , and offer support , and where appropriate , treatment . ’
Dr Sarah Jackson says law should protect against weight discrimination . She is the director of the National Weight Control Association and a member of the Australian Medical Association's Obesity Task Force.