A new study conducted in Iceland has shown that women who weight a bit more than average may have a harder time finding a job – as opposed to an overweight man, who seemingly aren’t affected by the trend.

One study examined the associated between excess weight and employment, and found a slightly negative correlation between weight and the employment rate of women, and a slightly positive correlation for men. The study was conducted in Iceland because it has the greatest level of gender equality in terms of health, education, business opportunities, and political participation. The United States is ranked 31st in terms of gender equality, and a 2009 study conducted in the U.S. showed that weight can be a drag on a woman’s earnings.

“There does seem to be a penalty for women,” said University of Michigan professor Edward Norton, who conducted the 2009 study.

Norton said his study suggested the same penalties were not imposed on overweight men. “The general finding is that there is not much effect for men . “If anything, larger men were paid more.”

Norton added that he isn‘t surprised to see that the results of the Icelandic survey were similar to that of his own. “There is something in western society that seems to penalize women for being overweight,” he said.

Tags: men, women, overweight
Categories: What in the world?