Examining Whether Gender Moderates the Effects of Body Size on Criminal Sentencing Outcomes

• In Event: Appearance, Visual Cues, and Gender in the Courts

Abstract

Existing research extensively documents the prejudice and negative stereotypes faced by overweight and obese individuals across various life domains such as employment, education, and healthcare, resulting in pervasive discrimination. Surprisingly, the criminal legal system's potential bias against body size remains largely unexplored. Additionally, studies consistently highlight the disproportionate consequences women face due to their body size compared to men. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether gender moderates the relationship between body size and criminal sentencing outcomes. To assess this, I draw on official court records from cases filed in a southern county in the United States between January 1st, 2016, and December 31st, 2022. The implications of these findings and avenues for future research will also be discussed.

Author

• Kelsey Layne Kramer, Sam Houston State University