Shaming overweight or obese people does not help them lose weight.

Researchers from the University College London have found that discrimination or negative interactions based on their weight does not encourage them to lose the pounds, The Washington Post reported. It might lead to weight gain.

"Our results show that weight discrimination does not encourage weight loss, and suggest that it may even exacerbate weight gain," Sarah Jackson, lead author of the study, said in a statement.

Previous studies have found that people who experience discrimination report comfort eating. Stress responses to discrimination can also increase appetite, particular for unhealthy, energy-dense food.

"Weight discrimination has been shown to make people feel less confident about taking part in physical activity, so they tend to avoid it," Jackson added.

For the study, researchers recruited nearly 3,000 adults aged 50 years or older. Five percent of the participants reported weight discrimination. This ranged from less than 1 percent of those in the 'normal weight' category to 36 percent of those classified as "morbidly obese." Men and women reported similar levels of weight discrimination.

They were asked whether they experienced day-to-day discrimination that they attributed to their weight. Examples of discrimination include being treated disrespectfully, receiving poor service in shops, and being harassed.

Discrimination was assessed two years after the initial weight measurements and two years before the final measurements, but all the analyses statistically controlled for initial weight and other potential influences.

The study contradicts the common perception that discrimination or "fat shaming" might encourage weight loss.

The findings were recently published in the journal Obesity.