Let's see if I have this straight. "Ethnic whites" who feel discriminated against -- not are discriminated against necessarily but feel so -- are much more likely to be obese than ethnic whites who do not feel discriminated against. This connection between perceived discrimination and obesity is not present among blacks, Hispanics or "other whites." This is because:
First, blacks and Hispanics may have developed mechanisms for coping with stress that ethnic whites have not developed. Second, blacks and Hispanics may be more likely to accept larger body types. Third, discrimination may simply be more pervasive and insidious than is widely believed.
Love that research. This has to be the ultimate in the "It's not my fault I'm fat" culture of denial.
"Ethnic whites" are defined to include those such as Americans of Polish, Italian, Jewish and Irish descent who have "historically been discriminated against." Isn't that just about everybody? Oh, wait, there are those pesky German-Americans. I have Irish and German in my background. Guess that means I am partly an "ethnic" white and partly an "other" white. Do I get to feel stressed and have an excuse for any obesity I might entertain, or not?
"Discrimination may be more pervasive and insidious than is widely believed"? No, perceived discrimination, maybe. "Blacks and Hispanics may be more likely to accept large body types"? No stereotyping there, nuh-uh!
