Is your weight holding you back at work?
If there was ever a case of the truth being a harsh mistress, this might just be it. A study published by New York University shows that a woman’s weight is directly correlated to her financial well-being. 
The study found that each 1 % increase in women’s BMI means a .6 percent decrease in future family income. So, a 60-pound weight difference between two 5-foot-4 women would account for a 30 percent difference in their future family incomes. Simply put: the skinnier woman’s family earned $100,000 annually compared to $70,000 for the heavier gal. According to the study, much of this income difference occurs because the heavier women are, the poorer their spouses are likely to be and that’s if she gets married. For each 1 percent BMI increase, the prospects of matrimony decrease .35 percent.
But discounting the marriage effect for a moment, take a look at the absolutely shocking affect of a woman’s weight on her salary in the business world.
For every 1 percent increase in BMI, the study found a .4 percent decrease in future job prestige, with prestige measured by public surveys long used by sociologists. So, a 100 percent difference in BMI — a 5-foot-4 woman weighing 120 pounds versus one weighing 240 — meant the difference between becoming a lawyer, a high prestige job, and an insurance agent, a medium prestige job or between a medium-prestige secretary and a low-prestige housekeeper.
While I absolutely DO NOT agree that weight *should* play a role in a woman’s earning potential, I can say that I know that this discrimination does take place. As women, together we ought to rail against the portions of our society who objectify women and perpetuate the idea that skinny = better.
That being said, we as women also have a responsibility to stand together and admit that the cultural and societal pressure that pushes us to be everything to everyone all the time, often leaves us hurrying from place to place and doesn’t allow us to eat well or take proper care of our bodies.
Take a moment to think about what life would be like if your body stopped working or your health failed. I’m betting just the mere thought is enough to take your breath away.
Today, and everyday, make a commitment to support one another, love another, try to eat healthy and take good care of yourself and the women you love. After all, it’s our job to take care of everyone else – what would the world do without us?
