This study investigated the experiences of weight stigma, coping strategies, psychological functioning, and eating behaviors in 2671 overweight and obese adults. The sample was divided into two groups: 2449 women and 222 matched men and women. Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing weight-based stigmatization, coping responses, psychological functioning, and eating behaviors. The findings revealed that weight stigma was common, with family members and doctors being the most frequent sources of bias. Stigmatizing experiences were associated with increased coping strategies and higher BMI, but no gender differences were found in the types or frequency of stigma. Coping responses were linked to emotional well-being, but stigma itself was not significantly related to psychological functioning. The study also found that eating more food was a common coping strategy for stigma, and that this behavior was associated with higher self-esteem and lower depressive symptoms. However, some coping strategies, such as negative self-talk and crying, were linked to lower self-esteem. The study highlights the importance of addressing weight stigma in obesity treatment and stigma reduction efforts, as well as the need for further research on the relationship between stigma, coping, and emotional functioning. The study also notes that the sample was primarily composed of white women, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other populations. Overall, the study underscores the complex relationship between weight stigma, coping strategies, and psychological well-being, and the need for targeted interventions to reduce the negative impact of stigma on individuals with obesity.This study investigated the experiences of weight stigma, coping strategies, psychological functioning, and eating behaviors in 2671 overweight and obese adults. The sample was divided into two groups: 2449 women and 222 matched men and women. Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing weight-based stigmatization, coping responses, psychological functioning, and eating behaviors. The findings revealed that weight stigma was common, with family members and doctors being the most frequent sources of bias. Stigmatizing experiences were associated with increased coping strategies and higher BMI, but no gender differences were found in the types or frequency of stigma. Coping responses were linked to emotional well-being, but stigma itself was not significantly related to psychological functioning. The study also found that eating more food was a common coping strategy for stigma, and that this behavior was associated with higher self-esteem and lower depressive symptoms. However, some coping strategies, such as negative self-talk and crying, were linked to lower self-esteem. The study highlights the importance of addressing weight stigma in obesity treatment and stigma reduction efforts, as well as the need for further research on the relationship between stigma, coping, and emotional functioning. The study also notes that the sample was primarily composed of white women, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other populations. Overall, the study underscores the complex relationship between weight stigma, coping strategies, and psychological well-being, and the need for targeted interventions to reduce the negative impact of stigma on individuals with obesity.