Eric Adams signs bill prohibiting weight discrimination, stating that body type does not determine health.

New York City Mayor Bans Height and Weight Discrimination

Mayor Eric Adams of New York City has signed a bill that prohibits discrimination based on height and weight for employment, housing, and public accommodations in the city. This move has been praised by many as a step towards social justice and ending discrimination against people with different body types.

JUST IN: After signing a bill banning height and weight discrimination in NYC, Mayor Eric Adams tells a reporter that, “Body type is not a connection to whether you’re healthy or unhealthy.” pic.twitter.com/Uh9zjq4Dbb

— Forbes (@Forbes) May 26, 2023

However, Mayor Adams made a scientifically erroneous statement when he claimed that body type has no connection to a person’s health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that obese people are at an increased risk of serious diseases and health conditions such as high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, and stroke. Those who are underweight also face serious health risks such as vitamin deficiencies, anemia, and decreased immune function.

New York City’s new law is set to take effect on November 22. Six other cities, including Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, as well as the states of Michigan and Washington, also have laws against height and weight discrimination. Similar legislation is currently being considered in New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Size Discrimination is a Social Justice Issue

“Size discrimination is a social justice issue and a public health threat,” said New York City Councilmember Shaun Abreu. “People with different body types are denied access to job opportunities and equal wages — and they have had no legal recourse to contest it. Worse yet, millions are taught to hate their bodies. As the global beacon of tolerance, it is only right that New York City is leading the national effort to end size discrimination with the signing of this law today.”