Question 1

Regarding treatment of overweight people in organizations
A) employers may make virtually any decision they desire.
B) assigning overweight people to jobs where they are not seen by customers or clients makes good business sense.
C) employers should make job-related decisions on the ability to perform the job.
D) employers need to first think of an excuse and then get rid of them.

Accepted Answer

Employers should make job-related decisions based on the ability to perform the job, regardless of weight. Discriminating against overweight individuals goes against anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies and can lead to legal repercussions. Assigning overweight people to jobs where they are not seen by customers or clients based on their weight alone is not only discriminatory, but it also ignores the fact that being overweight does not necessarily impact job performance.

Question 2

Which of the following is true of research results about weight?
A) Preferences for thinner people does not exist among those who are fat.
B) Overweight children view social discrimination as the most immediate consequence of their weight.
C) In all cultures, overweight is undesirable.
D) In one study, there was no relationship between time spent watching television and obesity.

Accepted Answer

Research shows that overweight children are more likely to view social discrimination as the most immediate consequence of their weight, indicating the negative impact of weight stigma on mental health. Choice A is incorrect as research has identified a preference for thinness among individuals of all weight categories. Choice C is incorrect as different cultures have different beauty standards and attitudes towards weight. Choice D is also incorrect as several studies have found a positive relationship between time spent watching television and obesity.

Question 3

In the Bonnie Cook case, in which Bonnie was denied employment at a State of Rhode Island agency:
A) Bonnie had successfully worked for the organization twice before.
B) Bonnie had worked for the organization before but her unsatisfactory performance kept her from being rehired.
C) Bonnie sued under Rhode Island legislation prohibiting weight discrimination.
D) Bonnie failed the pre-hire medical examination.

Accepted Answer

Bonnie had successfully worked for the organization twice before, which was part of the context of her case.

Question 4

Similar to most other non-dominant group members, overweight people
A) experience disparate treatment even when their qualifications are similar to those who are not overweight.
B) can use Title VII if they experience employment-related discrimination.
C) can change the aspect of their identity that results in unfair treatment.
D) can often hide their condition or at least minimize it by choosing clothes that do not call attention to their weight.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that overweight individuals experience discrimination in a variety of settings, including employment, education, healthcare, and in the media. Even if their qualifications are similar to those who are not overweight, they may face biased treatment.

Answer: B 
 Overweight individuals can use Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to seek recourse for employment-related discrimination. This law prohibits employers from discriminating against employees or job applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Answer: D 
 While hiding or minimizing their weight may be a coping mechanism for some overweight individuals, it is not a long-term solution to discrimination. It is also worth noting that not all overweight individuals are able to hide their weight, as it may be more difficult for some body types or based on available clothing options. Changing one's body size is not necessarily a feasible or desirable option for everyone, and should not be a requirement for fair treatment.

Question 5

People are most likely to negatively view ______ as being a condition that could be controlled but is not due to lack of self-discipline.
A) visual impairment
B) hearing loss
C) weight
D) speech impairment

Accepted Answer

Weight is often seen as a condition that can be controlled through diet and exercise, and people who struggle with their weight are sometimes viewed as lacking self-discipline. Visual impairment, hearing loss, and speech impairment are typically not seen as controllable conditions in the same way.

Question 6

The prevalence of overweight has increased primarily due to
A) more people building muscle.
B) increased consumption of water.
C) weight is being measured more frequently for more people.
D) changes in leisure activities.

Accepted Answer

Changes in leisure activities have led to a more sedentary lifestyle for many people, which can contribute to weight gain. This includes increased use of technology, such as computers and smartphones, and less physical activity in leisure time. The other options (A, B, and C) do not accurately reflect the primary causes of the increase in overweight prevalence.

Question 7

Abercrombie and Fitch has had multiple diversity concerns including
A) selling merchandise that perpetuated stereotypes about Hispanics.
B) favoring Filipinos in hiring practices.
C) using race-coded job channeling.
D) targeting the obese by employing only those who are obese.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Abercrombie and Fitch has had multiple diversity...

Question 8

When attempting to reduce benefits costs, which is the best solution for employers?
A) They should encourage overweight people to lose weight.
B) They should refuse to hire overweight applicants.
C) They should require overweight applicants to take a medical exam to ensure their blood pressure is normal and that they do not have diabetes or other obesity-related health problems.
D) They should introduce wellness programs, focusing on health.

Accepted Answer

Introducing wellness programs focusing on health is the best solution for employers to reduce benefits costs. Wellness programs can help employees maintain a healthier lifestyle and reduce health risks, which ultimately leads to lower healthcare costs for employers. Encouraging or requiring overweight people to lose weight or imposing any discriminatory policies on overweight applicants can lead to legal issues and negatively affect employee morale.

Question 9

Obesity is not a problem in developing countries, as people there have fewer resources and food than in the U.S.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. While developing countries may have less access to resources, there is still a significant problem with obesity in these countries, particularly as diets shift towards more processed and high-calorie foods. Obesity rates in countries such as Mexico, Egypt, and South Africa have been steadily increasing, highlighting the global nature of the issue.

Question 10

Some appearance requirements instituted by organizations are discriminatory and illegal.

Accepted Answer

Appearance requirements that discriminate based on gender, race, religion, or disability are illegal and violate anti-discrimination laws such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Employers should avoid setting policies that impose arbitrary or unnecessary restrictions on employees' appearance, such as dictating hairstyles, facial hair, or dress codes that conflict with an employee's religious or cultural practices.

Question 11

Which of the following is true of overweight and obesity at work?
A) Overweight people have lower absence than others.
B) Overweight people strongly resist discrimination at work by boycotting and protesting.
C) Overweight is erroneously associated with negative personal attributes.
D) Overweight people are not likely to be discriminated against at work.

Accepted Answer

Overweight individuals are often wrongly associated with negative personal traits such as laziness, lack of self-control, and poor health habits. This can lead to discrimination in the workplace, with overweight employees being passed over for promotions or not given important assignments. A and B are not supported by research, as overweight individuals actually have higher rates of absenteeism and are less likely to speak out against discrimination in the workplace. D is also incorrect, as overweight individuals are frequently victims of workplace discrimination.

Question 12

It is illegal in most states to fire someone because he or she is overweight.

Accepted Answer

In the United States, there is no federal law specifically prohibiting discrimination based on weight. Therefore, in most states, it is not explicitly illegal to fire someone for being overweight unless it qualifies as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Question 13

Thin people may be in worse health than fat people.

Accepted Answer

Being thin does not necessarily mean being healthy, as thin people can still have a higher risk for health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. It is important to focus on overall health and well-being rather than just weight.

Question 14

Which of the following are potential outcomes of having a large-sized, fit aerobics instructor in San Francisco?
A) The employing organization can pay him or her lower wages with no negative outcomes.
B) Having such an employee may be viewed negatively by many overweight people who want someone who is an example of they want to become.
C) Because the U.S. population is increasing in size, having such an aerobics instructor may be a competitive advantage.
D) The employer must be certain that the proportion of the employees who are large-sized is equal to the proportion of the residents of San Francisco who are large sized.

Accepted Answer

Having a large-sized, fit aerobics instructor can be a competitive advantage as it may resonate with a growing segment of the population that is also increasing in size, potentially making clients feel more comfortable and represented.

Question 15

Genetics play a role in a person's propensity to be overweight or obese.

Accepted Answer

Numerous genetic factors have been identified that contribute to a person's predisposition to weight gain and obesity. Research has shown that genetics can determine up to 80% of a person's body weight variation. Therefore, genetics plays a crucial role in a person's propensity to be overweight or obese.

Question 16

A new employee with a physical deformity applied to work at a restaurant chain as a hostess. She had considerable experience as a hostess, and was hired. Although she worked as a hostess for a few weeks, she was soon assigned to work as a cook. The manager told her she would never be able to work as a hostess again because customers had complained about her appearance. Which of the following is true of this situation?
A) This is a case of appearance discrimination related to a disability, and thus is illegal under the ADA.
B) This is the manager's prerogative; customers are always right.
C) Although this is an unfortunate situation, the manager had no choice.
D) The manager did the right thing but the wrong way. The manager needed to find a more acceptable excuse.

Accepted Answer

This situation involves appearance discrimination related to a physical deformity, which is illegal under the ADA. The manager cannot use customer complaints about the employee's appearance as a reason to reassign her to a different role, and they cannot prohibit her from working as a hostess in the future solely because of her appearance. The manager should have made efforts to accommodate the employee's disability and prevent discrimination.

Question 17

If fat employees experience discrimination,
A) costs related to turnover, absence, and low morale could exceed higher medical and benefits costs related to having fat workers.
B) they have no legal recourse.
C) because weight is largely controllable, they should attempt to reduce the discrimination by losing weight.
D) tell them to not be so sensitive and simply ignore the situation.

Accepted Answer

Discrimination based on weight can lead to negative consequences such as high turnover, increased absenteeism, and low morale, which can ultimately cost more than any medical or benefits costs associated with having overweight employees. Therefore, it is important for companies to address and prevent weight discrimination in the workplace.

Question 18

When assessing appearance requirements, employers should consider which of the following?
A) Whether the applicant or employee puts too much emphasis on being overly neat and clean.
B) Is the requirement necessary to the safe operation of the business?
C) Recognize that the issue is simply appearance and not to get it confused with race, cultural, and ethnic issues.
D) That is a dangerous thing to consider thus employers should not look at a person until after the person is hired regardless of what the person will be doing on the job.

Accepted Answer

Employers should consider whether any appearance requirements are necessary to the safe operation of the business. This is important because appearance requirements should be based on legitimate reasons and not personal preferences or biases.

Question 19

One-third of the U.S. population is overweight or obese.

Accepted Answer

More than two-thirds of the U.S. population is considered to be overweight or obese.

Question 20

Research studies on obesity and healthcare have found that
A) overweight people are more likely to receive preventive care than others.
B) medical professionals do not typically hold the same negative perceptions that discriminating employers hold about those who are overweight.
​
C) most nurses believe that obesity could be prevented by self-control.
D) ​the attitude of medical students toward obese patients changed in a positive direction after working with obese patients.

Accepted Answer

DC) Studies have shown that a significant number of nurses and other healthcare professionals believe obesity is largely a result of a lack of self-control, reflecting a common bias within the healthcare system. D) Research indicates that medical students' attitudes towards obese patients can improve after they have direct, positive interactions with such patients, suggesting that firsthand experience can counteract pre-existing biases.

Quiz 15: Weight and Appearance

Regarding treatment of overweight people in organizations

Which of the following is true of research results about weight?

In the Bonnie Cook case, in which Bonnie was denied employment at a State of Rhode Island agency:

Similar to most other non-dominant group members, overweight people

People are most likely to negatively view ______ as being a condition that could be controlled but is not due to lack of self-discipline.

The prevalence of overweight has increased primarily due to

Abercrombie and Fitch has had multiple diversity concerns including

When attempting to reduce benefits costs, which is the best solution for employers?

Obesity is not a problem in developing countries, as people there have fewer resources and food than in the U.S.

Some appearance requirements instituted by organizations are discriminatory and illegal.

Which of the following is true of overweight and obesity at work?

It is illegal in most states to fire someone because he or she is overweight.

Thin people may be in worse health than fat people.

Which of the following are potential outcomes of having a large-sized, fit aerobics instructor in San Francisco?

Genetics play a role in a person's propensity to be overweight or obese.

If fat employees experience discrimination,

When assessing appearance requirements, employers should consider which of the following?

One-third of the U.S. population is overweight or obese.

Research studies on obesity and healthcare have found that