Scientific studies: a springboard for more motivation?
A recent study reveals that overweight, according to gender, may be a discriminating factor in hiring. And if these experiments, despite sometimes saddening conclusions (discrimination in hiring, etc.) could paradoxically give additional motivation to obese people?
A hexagonal search
Two French economists have used the surveys of the DARES (Direction of Animation, Research, Studies and Statistics) and the DREES (Direction of Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics).
The latter have questioned the relationship between overweight, gender and professional discrimination (1) . For this, several data were collected: weight and height, age, general state of health, professional status, family situation, type of education and social origin.
It shows that in 2010, on these statistical samples:
- More than half of the women had a “normal” BMI (between 20 and 25)
- That 5% of them had a BMI below 20
- And that the rest were overweight or even obese (just over 32%)
The survey brings to light a dismaying fact: women who are significantly overweight are victims of discrimination, while among men the excess kilos express a vital force, a certain opulence or even an art of living. Obesity is becoming a real professional handicap for women (lower productivity, discrimination) according to the two research experts, Arthur Souletie and Élise Coudin. Social norms in terms of being overweight are strong and restrictive for fat and fat women and the latter have less chance of finding a job, for 7% of them.
But that’s not all ! A second penalty is added to the first: the higher the BMI, the lower the salary. Certainly this percentage is not really significant (0.3%) but it exists and is controversial. For the same tasks, a woman is paid less than a man and an overweight woman is even less .
Useful information?
In the logic of the spirits, since a woman must be more slender and thin, should we comfort ourselves with this idea and use it to move, eat more balanced, drink more regularly? Indeed, since everyone is free to take a few resolutions, simple and not very restrictive, in terms of time, money, motivation, do not hesitate.
To do this, you just need to know how to use a few elementary basics that pay off in the long term and are safer for a lasting state of health:
- When you wake up, take a large glass of water and before each main meal.
- Avoid untimely snacks outside of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Choose carbohydrates before 5 p.m. and vegetables after.
- Eat a protein (eggs, fish, meat) two out of the three main meals.
- Put in place a dynamic strategy: move, walk, swim briefly, contract the muscles… and do this as often as possible.
And, like “Pascal’s Bet”, it is better to believe it than not, because the obese person has everything to gain from it.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.