Eric Adams Signs Bill Banning Weight Discrimination, Says ‘Body Type’ Not Connected ‘To Whether You’re Healthy Or Unhealthy’

 New York City Democratic Mayor Eric Adams claimed Friday that “body type” has no connection to a person’s health after signing a bill banning height and weight discrimination. 

The bill signed by Adams prohibits discrimination on the basis of height and weight for employment, housing, and public accommodations in the city. The bill contains an exception for employers who need to consider height and weight to abide by federal, state, or local laws and regulations. After signing the legislation, Adams discussed why he believes it’s necessary and made a scientifically erroneous statement. 

“Everyone knows that I’m a person that believes in health, so when you talk about not discriminating against someone because of their body type, it’s not fighting against obesity; it’s just being fair,” the mayor said, adding, “And science has shown that body type is not a connection to if you are healthy or unhealthy. I think that’s a misnomer.”

Adams did not provide a study or bring receipts to back up his claim that body type doesn’t affect health, but 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, according to Healthline. 

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, The New York Times reported.  

 

“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.”