Perceived discrimination is worse than racism or sexism, a new study found.
Researchers found that older adults who believed in weight discrimination and prejudice based on age or on a physical disability or other aspect of appearance had considerably lower physical and emotional health. They were also more prone to health problems compared to those who did not report experiencing such discrimination.
The researchers found that discrimination based on traditional mores llike sex, race and ancestry did not leave any lasting impression compared to perceived discrimination based on age and weight which seemed to have more effect on health.
"Our previous research showed that perceived discrimination based on body weight was associated with risk of obesity. We wanted to see whether this association extended to other health indicators and types of discrimination," lead author Angelina Sutin, assistant professor of behavioral sciences and social medicine from the Florida State University College of Medicine said in press release. "What we found was unexpected and striking."
For the study, the researchers examined data of over 6,000 adults who participated in the Health and Retirement Study, a study of Americans ages 50 and older and their partners. Participants indicated their physical, emotional and cognitive health in 2006 and 2010 and reported on their personal experiences with discrimination.
The researchers found that loneliness, a product of discrimination, had the most effect on the health of the older adults. Sutin's research showed that discrimination on any count resulted in greater loneliness for the study participants. Previous research has shown that loneliness in older adults has consequences on health including depression and cardiovascular disorders.
The findings were published in the 'American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.'
